The Seer

Author’s Note

In this chapter, Severus helps Amanda change the look of the astronomy tower’s interior. Strangely enough, he feels at ease with her and enjoys their talk, until the Dark Lord suddenly summons him. He learns that a new prophecy has appeared in the Hall of Prophecy, and Voldemort wants him to convince the new Seer to tell him what it says.

Enjoy!

Amelia

When they reached the top of the astronomy tower, Severus noticed that everything that Sybil had left had been neatly put into boxes. The walls were still the same color, but the place certainly looked more inviting now. He’d only gone to the tower the few times when Dumbledore insisted. Each time Sybil would make a pass, and he would once again have to pull the crazy Witch off of him. This Witch kept a good distance between the two of them. She obviously had manners.

“I like your idea of doing the walls in blue.” Severus stated as he drew his wand, “I think trimming them in white would be good as well.”

Amanda nodded. “Perfect. Why don’t you do the honors?”

Severus muttered an incantation and gave his wand a wave. The bulk of the wall suddenly took on a nice, indigo shade that matched Amanda’s tunic. A second wave of his wand caused a white trim to appear along the edge of the wall as well as on the door.

Amanda took a step backwards and smiled. “Impressive. I like it very much.”

He put his wand away and replied, “Thank you, Miss Collins. Now, I believe you said you had pictures that you wanted to hang. Where are they?”

“Please, call me Amanda.” She said casually and began walking towards a set of boxes that were separated from the others. “All of my things are here.”

As Severus helped her unpack the pictures and other things she wanted to display, he was pleasantly surprised by her good taste. There were moving pictures of knights battling fierce dragons, and famous wizards, including Merlin himself. She was quiet throughout the process, and handed him nails as he hung the pictures in place. When that was done, he helped her stand an empty suit of armor in a corner and tacked a tapestry of what he guessed was her family crest on the wall. Almost everything she had looked like it was from the middle ages. Apparently, she was smitten by that time period.

“Thank you so much for your help, Severus.” She said when he finished and came down off the small stepladder, “Can I get you something to drink?”

“That would be lovely, thank you.” He replied politely.

She walked over to a small cabinet beside the window and opened it. “What’s your poison?”

“Fire whiskey will do nicely if you have it.” He answered as he sat down in a chair in front of her desk.

She poured a glass of fire whiskey for him and a glass of sparkling grape juice for herself, and then brought them over to the desk. “Here you go. I’m not a drinker myself, but I try to keep some of the basics on hand for guests.”

“A purist, I see.” Hr smirked and took a sip of the fire whiskey.

She blushed and replied, “I have enough against me already due to bad genetics. I don’t come from good stock, I’m afraid.”

He gave a nod. “So you’re muggleborn then.”

“I’m the only Witch ever to come from either sides of my family. The Headmaster back at my school had to come get me himself, because my parents didn’t believe the letter he sent me was real.” She said with a good-natured chuckle, “They were shocked when they saw him take out his wand and levitate our living room sofa. I thought dad was going to have a heart attack right in front of me.”

Severus smirked and said, “You must have done a wonderful job keeping your abilities a secret, since they had no idea what you were.”

“Well, I always knew things before they happened, but it terrified me so much that I never used it on purpose.” She explained, “I spent my young years thinking there was something seriously wrong with me.”

He thought for a moment then said, “I can’t imagine what that must have been like. Fortunately, my mother came from a long line of Witches and Wizards. Did your parents finally come to terms with it?”

Amanda smiled and replied, “Yes they did. They were very supportive once things were explained to them. They were both psychiatrists, so they were used to dealing with things that were a bit out of the ordinary.”

He raised his eyebrows and looked at her intently. “Were? Are they deceased?”

She gave a nod and took a sip of her grape juice. “Yes, unfortunately. They died about three years ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” He stated casually, “My parents are deceased as well.”

“Albus tells me that you’re the greatest Potionsmaster in Europe.” She said, changing the subject.

“I’m afraid he’s a little biased.” Severus replied modestly, “But I do enjoy my work.”

“I’d like to see your lab sometime.” She said with a warm smile, “Potions never was my strong suit, but I find the subject interesting.”

Suddenly he felt the familiar burning sensation in his arm and stood up. “It’s been nice talking to you, Miss Collins, but I must be going now. You’re welcome to stop by anytime and take a look at my lab.”

She stood up and extended her hand politely. “It was nice meeting you too, Severus. Thanks for your help.”

He shook her hand then quickly headed out of the room. It was just like Voldemort to summon him at an inopportune moment. He was actually enjoying the conversation with the new professor. She seemed so down to earth, very unlike her predecessor. Sybil’s strangeness and incessant declarations of love had turned him sour on the subject she had taught. Maybe Albus knew what he was doing when he hired this more levelheaded Witch for the position.

Once outside the tower, he apparated to Riddle Manor to find the Dark Lord and the other Death Eaters assembled in the cemetery. The others gave him a wide berth as he approached, out of respect for his rank. Voldemort was seated in a tall chair with Bellatrix and Lucius beside him. He gave a nod to the two of them then knelt before the dark wizard. “Good evening, My Lord.”

“Good evening, Severus.” Voldemort replied solemnly, “Do you know why I’ve summoned you this evening?”

Severus stood up and replied, “No, My Lord. What is the purpose?”

The Dark Lord adjusted his robes then replied, “Last night a new prophecy appeared in the Hall of Prophecy. With times being as they are, I’m most curious as to what this prophecy has to say.”

“That will be a difficult task.” Severus replied plainly, “Only Seers have unrestricted access to the Hall.”

“I understand that your school now has a new Divinations Mistress.” The dark wizard stated with a slight smile on his snakish lips, “Have you made her acquaintance?”

He gave a nod. “Yes, My Lord. I was just speaking to her when you summoned me, as a matter of fact.”

Voldemort placed his hands in his lap and looked at Severus curiously, “Really? And what was your impression of her?”

“She’s not what I expected, but she seems knowledgeable enough.” He replied non-chalauntly.

“Do you think you could persuade her to look at the prophecy and tell you what it says?” the Dark Lord inquired calmly.

“I highly doubt it.” Severus answered, “She seems like a textbook do-gooder to me. I don’t see her giving up that information easily.”

Voldemort leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment, bringing his slender fingers up to stroke his chin, “Hmm…Albus would hire someone with his high ideals, wouldn’t he?”

“I will do what I can, My Lord, but with Albus nearby I must be careful.” Severus stated grimly, “Give me a few days and I’ll see if I can get close enough to her to gain her confidence.”

Voldemort gave a nod and replied, “Very well. You have a week to convince her. If she proves difficult, I want you to bring her to next week’s meeting. Is that understood?”

“Yes, My Lord.” He replied and gave a respectful bow.

“I must know the contents of that prophecy.” The Dark Lord declared firmly, “If she won’t tell you, then I’ll be forced to persuade her through less than gentle methods.”