The Hepatic Hex

Cer 1er 17

Snape and Hermione appeared in the Headmasters office in the same positions as when they had left two hours earlier. Dumbledore, who was still seated at his desk, looked at then with grave concern over their early return.

“What happened children?” he asked anxiously.

“We met Lilliana sir, and, with her help we have identified the problem.” Hermione answered sadly.

“What is then Miss Granger?” Dumbledore’s voice grew in concern.

“It is quite simple Headmaster. Horrid, but simple. I am ashamed that I didn’t recognize the problem sooner. The curse that has been cast has caused the liver to be impaired only in one of its functions. That is why it has not shown up in any of our tests.”

“Please Miss Granger, tell me the problem.” Dumbledore said as he uncharacteristically slammed down his fists on his desk in frustration of her stalling.

Hermione sighed before answering. “The curse has caused our livers to stop producing the magical properties of our blood Headmaster. Lilliana tasted Severus and identified the problem immediately.”

Dumbledore looked at the pair for a moment before smiling brightly at them. “I new you both would be able to identify the problem. I am so proud of you.”

“Please don’t say that Albus” Snape said “We may know what the problem is but neither of us has any idea as to what can be done to counteract the curse.” He finished in anguish.

“You may not my son, but I believe I do.” Dumbledore told him. Both Hermione and Snape looked at Dumbledore in shock before sitting eagernce nce more on his settee, and like curious school children, waited for him to explain.

“The curse that you have identified is in fact not cosmic magic, but some of the most obscure and darkest magic that has ever been used. The spell is written of in only one book that has been handed down through generation upon generation in only one family. Fortunateor aor all of us I happen to be well acquainted with my family history and as such know exactly where this book is kept.on son saying this Dumbledore murmured an incantation and a stone brick of the wall of his office slowly transfigured into an old leather bound book. With an almost silent Accio, Dumbledore had the tome in his hand and was caressing the cover.

“Headmaster,” Hermione started “if there has only been one copy of this spell ever produced, and the book has always beenyouryour family’s possession, how did Suzie Owen manage to find out about it?” She finished looking at him quizzically.

Dumbledore chuckled at her perception. ”You are truly amazing Miss Granger. It is really impossible to get anything past you. Suzie Owen is in fact my late sister’s daughter.”

“That corrupt maniacal witch is your niece?’ Snape said in disbelief.

“Yes she is Severus. But what is important now is administering the cure. That my children may be the true problem.”

“How so Headmaster?” Hermione queried.

“The cure is a simple procedure of a blood transfusion from an unaffected pureblood witch or wizard. However, unlike Muggle blood transfusion, all we are interested in transfusing are the magical properties. For this reason we do not have to worry about blood typing and rejection.”

“I fail to see the problem with this solution Albus.” Snape interrupted.

“Well my boy, apart from every pureblood in our world already being ited,ted, the donor would become kind of like the magical Queen or King for all those who receive their magic. I am sure you understand the implications of this Severus?\" The old man asked with a raised eyebrow.

It took a moment for Snape to realize what the Headmaster was alluding to before his eyes widened in comprehension. Hermione looked quizzically between the two wizards.

“It would mean that the recipient of the blood would remain under the control of the donor for their entire lives. Kind of like an in built ‘Imperious’ curse. It could be activated at anytime by the donor and they would have the mental ability to control the recipient at will.” Snape said in frustration as he ran his fingers through his hair.

“Correct Severus. Even if we could find an unaffected pureblood, we need to ask ourselves whether the risk of allowing a person that much authority over the entire wizarding world is greater or not than the risk we are facing now of dying os a s a race.” Dumbledore finished gravely.

“That niece of yours is a bright one Headmaster.” Hermione said in a scoff. “It is simple to conclude from your description of the cure that she planned on administering her blood into anyone she felt worthy. No one would actually have the need to prove anything to her. She would have the ability to control everyone anyway. What I don’t understand though is how this will affect the magical bloodlines. I mean genetly, ly, how would this cure affect future ‘breeding’ for the lack of a better term?” Hermione asked.

“As I said, this is a transfer of magical properties only. The inherent bloodlines would stay the same. The cure and its ramifications only lasts one generation as well, so any children conceived after the transfusion would not be exposed to the same dangers as their parents. I believe you are correct though. Suzie Owen would as you have said, given her magic to control those she would have selected to save. It would be the perfect opportunity for her to rid the world of half bloods and those purebloods that were not loyal to her cause. None of this matters anyway, as I said there isn’t a pureblood witch or wizard in our world that hasn’t been affect…” Dumbledore trailed off at the sly grin that crossed Hermione’s face.

“There may not be an unaffected pureblood in our world Headmaster...” Hermione started slowly “But I believe that within the Muggle world, as I once told you briefly, there is an entire family of purebloods, who because of their isolation, should not have been infected.”

“Of course Hermione. I had completely forgotten about your friend Artemis and the De la Rosa family.” Dumbledore said almost excitedly. Snape however did not even try to match this kind of sentimentality.

“That family line Albus, as you know, is as strong as the family lines of Malfoy, Potter, hell even Snape! How can you consider placing a witch, with that much ability already, in a position that with a single thought she could control us all at her will? How you consider making a ‘Queen’ out of her as you so elegantly put it earlier?” Snape asked angrily.

“Severus!” Hermione started viscously, “The De la Rosa family banished themselves from this world for precisely that reason. The did not want to have their abilities abused by the dark side, so they abandoned our world-our way, no, their way of life, their own family heritage and friends. They took it upon their own shoulders to remove themselves from everything they knew, everything they ever were, so they weren’t forced to partake in Voldemorts ‘blood-cleansing’ of innocent half bloods, Muggle borns and Muggles. They gave up everything to avoid exactly what you are accusing them of being capable of if they were given the opportunity. They have however already had that opportunity and they turned it down. How dare you insinuate that if their family was to donate their magic that they would all of a sudden turn into a bunch of quasi- Voldemorts’ and Suzie Owens’?”

Hermione was absolutely livid at Snape’s casual insult of her lifelong friend and immediately Snape regretted what he had said. If the bright young woman he loved could trust this family, and if everything she had said were true of them, then maybe they would not pose the threat he had initially thought. He remembered the tone of the letter Artemis had sent Hermione and mentally conceded that the chances of the wizarding world being held on it’s knees for the next hundred years or so by the girl who had offered everything she could, without reservation to help Hermione and himself find a cure for the curse, even without knowing what was going on, was ludicrous and selfish. His mind made up, he quickly sank to his knees in front of Hermione and clutched her small hands within his own. He looked deep within her eyes so he could be sure that she would see the sincerity in his eyes as he spoke.

“Hermione, I am so very sorry for insulting both you and your friend and her family in such a manner. I realize the truth in what you have said and the depth of their own personal sacrifice. I do not believe that they would abuse the position of power they would find themselves in. Please, forgive me love. It was wrong of me to accuse them of the very deeds I myself was at one time too weak to resist.” Snape pleaded with her.

Hermione studied Snape’s look of sincerity and the self loathe in his voice realizing that he meant every word he had said. ‘Who the hell would have thought that the Bastard Potions Master was capable of such humiliation?’ Hermione thought to herself before embracing him warmly and kissing him gently. A not so quiet chuckle from the Headmaster broke through their moment and Snape stood to glare at the man before sitting back down next to Hermione.

“You know children,” Dumbledore started “I may have used the metaphor of ‘Queen’ earlier as a way of impressing on you the seriousness of the situation we could face if we found the wrong type of donor, but the more I think about it in terms of Miss De la Rosa and her family, the more I believe that maybe, having young Artemis in that kind of position would actually be a good thing for the wizarding world.”

“Are you implying that the girl should in actual fact assume the role of Queen within our world Albus?” Snape said neutrally to avoid upsetting Hermione again.

“Yes actually Severus. Think about it logically. Throughout the entire history of our world, there have been those who have tried to rise to such positions but with the wrong intentions; Grindewald, Voldemort and now Suzie Owen. All of them have almost succeeded too and why? Because with the exception of the Ministry, we have no leadership, no one to govern us, and the Ministry, as you know is so caught up with red tape and law enforcement that they wouldn’t be able to lead a Hippogriff to water if they needed to do so. For these reasons and so many more I believe that installing Miss De la Rosa and her family as our own royal family, who would also have the ability for one generation to make sure that there are no further uprisings of the kind we have seen in the past, could bring long craved for stability to our world.”

“Do you think that those within our population and more importantly the Ministry would accept the De la Rosa family in this position?” Hermione asked.

“I believe that they would my dear. Your friend would be saving the population with her donation. As long as no one was made aware of the power she would hold over them, I think that people would praise her and follow her naturally. As for the Ministry, I don’t think that we would have a problem with them. They are being hounded now by the gal pal public for concealing the return of Voldemort as it is. Cornelius Fudge is being pressured to resign and I don’t see him lasting for too much longer. The public is tired of his cover up and deception. Providing them with a Queen of a strong bloodline and clean name like that held by the De la Rosa’s I believe would be gratefully accepted.”

“Assuming that you are correct Albus and both the public and Ministry accept this idea, what makes you think that young Miss De la Rosa would be interested in such a proposal. She has lived within the Muggle world now for most of her life. Who are we to assume that she would be willing to leave all of that and return to the magical world?” Snape asked.

Hermione smiled brightly at Snape for his personal thoughtfulness of her friend. Snape saw it and inwardly cringed at the selfishness that dwelt behind his consideration of Artemis De la Rosa. If she were to ever return, Gods, he didn’t even want to imagine what it would mean for him.

“I have known Artemis for most of my life Severus,” Hermione started, “and I know that she has always been disappointed that she was never able to be what she is naturally. It was her parents who decided to abandon our world, not Artemis. I believe that if we can neutralize the threat of Suzie Owen that her family would be happy for her to return to the wizarding world and help bring about peace and security.” Hermione said with pride and without a trace of doubt.

“What about her experience though? You yourself have said that she has not been part of our world. Is Artemis even aware of how to do a simple ‘Alohomora’?” Snape questioned.

“Yes love.” Hermione answered. “Although she has not been present in our world, her parents have trained her themselves. She is fully proficient in all areas of magic.”

“But how has she not been traced then? Voldemort would have been able to obtain her location by tracking the use of her wand through the spies he has at the Ministry. I mean unless of course…” Snape paused at Hermione’s knowing smile. “She has been trained only in wandless magic hasn’t she?” Hermione nodded in the positive causing Snape to sigh inwardly. Apparently the fates were against him. Artemis De la Rosa would return as Queen of the wizarding world and his life would be over.

“Now have we settled all of that then?” Dumbledore questioned.

“I believe so Headmas Sna Snape said dejectedly earning him a puzzled look from Hermione. Fortunately for him though, she didn’t push the issue.

“Good then. Hermione, would you please owl your friend immediately and tell her all she needs to know about this situation? Please let her know how very important it is for everyone that she donate and what her position would be if she chooses to do so.” Dumbledore said.

“Of course Headmaster. But what of Suzie Owen? I am not sure Artemis would return without knowing how she will be handled.”

“Ahhh Miss Granger, I think I have a suitable punishment for Suzie Owen. I need some time to consult with an… ‘expert’ though. I believe that by the time Artemis returns, the ‘New- Soon –To- Be- Former- Dark- Queen’ will cease to pose any threat to anyone.” Dumbledore finished with an all too familiar twinkle back in his eye.

Snape and Hermione both looked skeptically at the Headmaster but never the less rose to leave. Snape was about to bid the old man good day when an all too familiar burning sensation traveled up his left arm. He doubled up in pain and Hermione ran to his side.

“What is it Severus?” She asked frantically.

“It seems, my dear, that Suzie Owen is trying to get my attention.” Snape replied rubbing his arm.

“Oh Gods please be careful love.” Hermione said before she kissed him fervently.

“Come back safe Severus. If Suzie asks, tell her that as I intend to work just as intently on defeating her as I did Voldemort. Family or not she has followed the wrong road for far too long.” Dumbledore said.

Although not ustanstanding Dumbledore’s motives, Snape nodded his head in acquiescence and kissed Hermione once more before rushing from the Headmasters office and to his dungeons to retrieve his Death Eater garb. He then ran to the gates of Hogwarts and with one last look at the castle disapparated.