The Legacy of the Dark Lord

The Prodigy and the Cloak

By M.M.G.C.



As I picked over the treacle tart on my plate that evening at dinner in the Great Hall, I no more could keep my dinner on the plate, than to keep my mind from wandering. Although Hermione rambled on about Arithmancy and Harry gloated about the upcoming Quiddich match, I let my mind wander to Potions class this afternoon. Treacle tart had never been my favorite anyhow.



“Why had the Sorting Hat put me in Gryffindor?” I wondered. “Slytherin surely would have been its’ first choice. Then why did it put me in Gryffindor?”



Though the conversation around me buzzed, no one seemed to notice I had stopped paying attention. That is, they did not realize until Professor Snape came rushing over to me at the Gryffindor table…



His brilliant, flashing eyes scanned the room as he entered. He glided slowly past the feasting Gryffindors, seemingly hovering over the ground. The long, sleek black cloak wafted through the air behind him.



Every eye in the Hall suddenly turned to peer at Severus. His hair was no longer greasy, but freshly washed and supporting gentle wave at the ends. The cold sneer no longer graced his pallid face. The corners of his mouth pulled up slightly, that for Snape, certainly appeared to be a small smile.



Harry, Ron, and Hermione suddenly froze as he approached. Their eyes widened and shot each other nervous glances. Snape was hastily approaching them, with a determined glaze over his blacks.


I watched them squirm uncomfortably in their chairs, whispering urgently amongst each other until they moved their stares from Snape and rounded their attentions on me.



I had still been watching them when I felt a firm but reassuring hand clasp my shoulder from behind. I did not even need to turn around to know that Snape had come to the Great Hall just to speak with me.



“I would not seem so relieved, Potter,” he said darkly. “I will deal with you three later,” he said in an almost festive tone.



Turning my head defiantly away from Harry, Ron, and Hermione, I grinned broadly at Severus. My eyes met his once again and the frosty coldness melted slightly. I returned his depth and felt the others watching us closely because; if I had not known better Severus seemed almost excited about something.



“Now Miss Knight, I have come to bring you to the Headmaster straight away. He is expecting you right away. He states that it’s urgent,” said Snape. “Follow me please.”



Harry whispered into Hermione’s ear but his eyes never left Severus and me. They continued staring and whispering as I stood up from the table.



After gathering my books, I strode away with my chin held high in the air; ignoring the awestruck stares I received leaving the Hall. Severus also ignored the stares, mimicking my same poise. I noticed, though, that Professor McGonagall nodded and winked secretively at me as I flew past her at the door.



Once outside, I joined side-by-side with Professor Snape, striding quickly down the deserted corridors until we reached the doors outside Dumbledore’s office. There, he took me aside and said, “You might be wondering what is so urgent that the Headmaster needs to see you right away,” he said without looking at me. “After your stunning performance in my Potions class, I sought the marks from your other teachers. It seems you are doing just as well in their classes as you are in mine. Upon speaking with Headmaster Dumbledore in this matter, I have requested that you be allowed to accelerate accordingly. He, of course, wished to speak with you about the matter before making his decision. You are to speak with him immediately. I will be there for the duration of your talk,” he said proudly.



“Of course,” I said. “Shall we enter then? The Headmaster is waiting.”



Snape nodded and raised his wand to the door. “Purple gumdrop!” he boomed.



The doors swung open to reveal the spiral staircase leading up to Dumbledore’s office. With a flick of his wrist, he waved me up the stairs. I bowed mildly and vanished up the stairs.



When we reached the office, Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, stroking Fawkes affectionately. For a brief time, he peered up at us from his glasses, with his blue eyes glittering in the light.



“Please sit down, Miss Knight,” he waved to the chair in front of the desk. Severus did not sit, but rather took a position toward the back of the room and cleared his throat.



“It is a most exceptional student, indeed, that catches Professor Snape’s eye. However, it has come to my attention that you not only perform outstandingly in your Potions classes, but equally exceptional in every subject you have taken. In these rare occasions, I may have just cause to accelerate you accordingly. If you are willing, you may further your studies until you reach the point when you are ready to take the OWL exams. I will make note to all the other Professors that you are to receive extra lessons upon request because of your situation. My letter, however, depends solely on your thoughts in the matter and that is why you are here today. I need to know if this is the path you wish to take before I alert the other teachers. Are you ready to proceed, Miss Knight?”



Dumbledore eyed me now from above the rim of his glasses. His manner was very serious, indeed, as he allowed his eyes to wander between Severus and myself.



I couear ear the soft tapping of his feet as Severus paced the back of the room. For a moment, I looked back at him; his arm crossed defensively across his chest and the other arm held his cinched fist loosely under his chin.



“Yes, Professor, I would like to continue my studies.”



Severus stopped mid-step and veered around to face us again. He sighed contentedly and straightened his shoulders. His arms dropped to his sides again, as he waited seemingly for further instructions.



“I’m delighted you have chosen this route, Miss Knight. Should you have any problems, please do not hesitate to return. Until that time, I shall make the final preparations,” said Dumbledore. “Ah yes, Professor McGonagall will be delighted when she hears you have accepted. She remarked that she never had such a talented student in her classroom and agreed emphatically with Professor Snape. Good luck, Miss Knight. Professor Snape will accompany you back to your dormitory now,” he said smiling.



Severus paused at the door to allow me to leave first. He followed at my heels until we reached end of the third floor corridor. The corridors were empty now, except for the occasional movement in the portraits. Once we had passed the final portrait on the floor, he held back my shoulder for a moment.



“I will find you at half past midnight tonight. Please be dressed and ready,” he said matter-of-factly.



“How will you get into the dormitories that late with Potter-pratt running around?” I asked.



“Do not worry about that—I have it all taken care of. Just be ready, if you will.”



With that, he beckoned me to lead the way up the staircase. I did not smile but I felt a warm butterfly flutter around in my stomach as I dashed up the stairs with Severus behind me.



As we reached the Fat Lady, Severus turned to me a final time and winked. “Well then, Miss Knight, good day,” he said in an abnormally loud voice.



“Thank you, Professor,” I said, turning to the Fat Lady. “Canis Ignitus.”



“Yes, yes! Canis Ignitus! Here you go!” she said, swinging open.



To my utter amazement, the whole of Gryffindor Tower had gathered in the common area to congratulate me. Professor McGonagall was one of the first to greet me.



“Congratulations, Michele! Oh, and to get the attention of Professor Snape! What a remarkable achievement! I am so happy to see you excel! If there is anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask!” exclaimed Professor McGonagall.



Harry, Ron, and Hermione pushed their way through. They looked awestruck and bombarded me with questions.



“How on Earth did you get Professor Snape to speak for you?” asked Hermione.



“Yeah, I mean, he doesn’t even speak for anyone in his own house, much less Gryffindor! A bloody marvel, she is,” he said, turning to Harry.



“I don’t understand it myself. Snape has never acted this way before. It’s like someone brewed him an extra-strength Happiness Potion or something,” said Harry, suddenly squinting his eyes suspiciously at me.



The three friends looked at each other. Hermione said, “You didn’t slip Snape a potion, did you? I mean, you are his best student, aren’t you?”



“No, I most certainly did not! I would never… I could never… No, I don’t think anyone would even fathom actually drugging Professor Snape!”



They looked at each other again unconvincingly. As Hermione looked down at my bandaged hand, she said, “And what is that from?”



“It’s just a cauldron burn,” I said defensively.



“It appears Snape has found himself a new project… Well, put in a good word for me with Snape, will you? I need all the help I can get!” said Harry..



“Sure thing,” I said, pushing my way through the room on my way to the dormitory. I needed to end the bash as soon as possible so that I could meet Severus at 12:30 that night.



Just before I reached the door, Fred and George cut me off. “Hey, aren’t you staying around for your own party?” asked Fred.



“Yeah, I mean it doesn’t look good if you don’t even come to your own party!” said George.



“Sorry, guys,” I said, quickly yawning. “I need to get all the sleep I can! I’ve got plenty of studying to do from now on,” I said as I pushed my way past.



“Have it your way, then,” said George, taking a Fizzing Whiz bee out of his pocket and shooting it at Hermione. Hermione rolled her eyes and turned to Harry and Ron again.



For the next four boring hours, I listened to the party die down and everyone go off to bed. I pretended to read Great Hexes and Curses, but counted down the time until midnight instead. Of course, I had to wait until at least Hermione arrived back at the dorm. I did not want her to know anything was going on. She dragged herself in at about 11:30 and set straight to bed. It was obvious she was exhausted because she fell right to sleep.



At 12:27, I crept out of bed and wandered down to the common room. It seemed Severus had not arrived yet, so I flopped myself down on a chaise lounger and watched the smoke billowing up the chimney from the fireplace. I wondered exactly how Severus would decide to appear, when suddenly, a silky whisper floated to my ears.



“Do not speak yet,” said the deep voice. “I’m here,” said Severus, appearing as a floating head directly above my shoulder. “Duck under this cloak and stay very close to me. Okay?”

I nodded and slid off the chaise onto my knees on the floor. He slipped the cloak around me and pulled me tightly to his chest. He guided me to my feet and steered me out of the common room.



I stood so close to him that I could hear his heart hammering rapidly beneath his black satin vest. A pleasant smell of hot spices emanated from him. Gently laying his long fingers on the small of my back, he urged me forward.



When we arrived on the landing before the Grand Staircase, he darted his head in both directions and slipped the cloak off himself. With another swift movement, he slipped it completely around me and muttered under his breath, “keep that around you until I say it’s alright.”



“Of course,” I whispered.



“Follow me, then,” he whispered without moving his lips.



He guided me out toward the front doors and onto the grounds. As we crossed to the edge of the lake and rounded into the Forbidden Forest at the water’s edge, he said, “Now. You may take off the cloak.”



I threw the cloak back from my over my head and tossed my hair free. His heart seemed to skip a beat as we beheld each other once again. My own heart stammered as I took in his handsomely dark eyes glistening in the moonlight.



He lunged forward, grasping my hands in his. I felt his soft breath from above tickling my face. “I want to take you to a certain spot I sometimes visit,” he mouthed breathlessly. “Come,” he prodded.



I walked with him, while holding his right hand in both of mine. The skin felt soft and smooth, and he grasped mine gently as if my hands would break if he held them any firmer.<>
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The air had begun to get chilly and crisp. Shivers ran up and down my spine. He paused when he felt me shiver and wrapped his long cloak around me, easing his arm around my waist when he had finished. We walked on.



Finally, at the opposite side of the black lake, he stopped in his tracks. It hit me so suddenly that I didn’t stop at first, but he didn’t let go of my hand. He led me to a large rock on the water’s edge, where he sat down, and I did the same.



He still held my hands. Slowly he caressed the tops of them with the other hand, gazing at them for a moment with faraway eyes. When he brought his head up again, I held my breath. His eyes were now small slits, delving deeply into my very soul.



“You open your mind to me,” he said, though no words formed from his mouth. “I can feel you. I can hear you, as you are hearing me. You trust me so freely to your thoughts?” he asked wordlessly.



“I trust you to my heart, just as you trust me to yours,” I said in my mind.



“And how have I earned such a bewitching Goddess?” he mused.



I closed my eyes and felt the soft stubble on his cheek graze mine. His forehead rested against mine. His lips lingered next to mine and the tips of his hair tickled my chin.



“I have searched my entire life for you,” he whispered in my ear. “And now I’ve found you, Michele. I would give up everything, just to have you in my arms forever…”



His breath fell slowly from my ear. The next moment, I felt a fiery warmth surge through my soul as his soft lips brushed mine. Every nerve in my body prickled, as his lips parted.

His strong arms encompassed me totally. Turning on his knees to face me, he pulled me carefully up to match his position. Our bodies were now pressed together tightly, and we paused, admiring each other closely from on our knees. His chest heaved, breathing exponentially faster with every breath. My fingers burned as I placed my arms around him. The smoothness of his firm body wrought spikes of pleasure my my heart.



He brought his long, thin hands up to my jaw line, edging my chin nearer and nearer to him. His eyes blazed with warmth, like a fire burning deep within his soul had floated to the surface.

“I will savor our first kiss forever,” he panted, edging back a few inches from my face. He ran a smooth fingertip throughhairhair and circled it around my ear. His passion-filled eyes searched mine.



“As will I,” I breathed faintly.



His black orbs darted from feature to feature across my face, moving him to rest his thumb lightly upon my lower lip. Rising prominently in his face was a rush of warmth, giving him a look of frenzied passion, tempered by restraint.



“By Heaven, I did not ever fancy losing control of my thoughts. I find with you, though, my mind embracing yours, and I cannot resist you… nor do I want to…” he said raptly.

I felt his hands cradle my neck. As our eyes bore deep into each other’s thoughts, I could not escape the intense images flooding my mind. I could not force myself to suppress the wave of fire that kindled my blood. The blood we shared in our oath to each other bound us. We bonded together by magic… forever…



In my mind, w hiw his thoughts and dreams—images of his hands caressing every inch of my body, then pressing his gentle lips to my tender skin, and writhing next to me, like a serpent binding its’ body to its’ victim before the strike. We were exchanging sensual thought—like actors spouting lines back and forth before the final take. Building fire ran rampant through my vein, lighting my senses and engulfing my soul.



He clutched my hair within his long, sculptured fingers, pressing his lips reverently against mine. I knew not how to hold this man or how to quench my thirst for divine singularity with him. I tasted his passion like sweet honeysuckle to my lips lusting for more and wishing it to end just the same. No one could hold onto this passion for long before it engulfed their entire being, and I was ablaze in every cell of my body.



Then as if sensing something changing within him, I winced and drew sharply back from him. He again searched my eyes for a few seconds, still clutching my hands as if holdinto ato a treasured memory.



I saw it as clearly as if it were a solid picture—Lucius Malfoy. He was angry and demanding something, his face lit with fury.



“What is it?” I said, as he looked away to the lake.



“Well, Severus!” called a voice from behind us. “Never did I think I would find you here with a student! Obviously you did not think I would find you here either or never would I have witnessed such a spectacle!”



Severus’ face changed instantaneously to the somber professor that spat venom on bumbling students. Harsh and cruel became his eyes. I merely sat on the rock as he rose, face to face with Lucius.



“Get on with it, then—Why are you here?”



“Oh, don’t be so uptight Severus! We all have our… little secrets,” said Lucius, eyeing me curiously. “I have come with great urgency from the Dark Lord to hand down a message. He wishes you to see ham at once. I don’t believe you should be bringing him any unexpected company, either…” he said glancing down at me again.



Severus glanced down at me with wide eyes. “I have a few… personal matters to attend to and then I will meet with him. Give me one hour, if you would.”



“Keep in mind Severus—that the Dark Lord does not like to be kept waiting...” With an indifferent nod of his head, he said, “And good day to you.” He strode off arrogantly towards the Dark Forest.



After he watched Lucius leave, he returned to sit with me on the large rock. He reached his hand into his pocket, pulled out a small, ornate box, and set it in my hand. He opened the lid for me and presented me the most fantastic necklace I had ever seen. A polished silver pendant adorned a thick silver metal string. The pendant had an oval gem in the center that shone a brilliant green with a purple sheen. The surrounding decorations formed around the stone, narrowing at the top and bottom to such distinction that it looked like an eye when tipped sideways.



“This is the Pendant of H’tao Doolb. It is a rare and ancient oriental magic, allowing the wearers to communicate thoughts by merely touching the stone. I will have the mate to yours on my person at all times. Mind you—even if one falls into the wrong hands, it cannot communicate with the other unless person wearing it is one of the casters of the charm.” He studied me for a moment, as if to sense my feelings about it. Then he continued, “You will need to say the charm with me to seal the bond. Now, shall I?” he said, unclasping the two ends and dangling it before me in the pale moonlight.



I nodded. He collected all my hair in his hands and twisted it. Placing it across my shoulder, he brought the necklace around from behind my neck and lowered it gently upon my chest. After connecting the two ends, he faced me again, and brought his out from under silky white shirt and black vest.



“Now, you must hold the one I am wearing in your left hand and I must hold yours in mine. Then we say ‘Impervius Manifestos’ together. Ready?”



“Yes,” I said.



“Now…” he said. “Impervius Manifestos” we chanted, holding each other’s eyes.



The pendants flashed blue and became painfully hot. The gash on my hand from earlier tingled. I felt a warm trickle roll down my arm but I held his eyes. I did not want to take them away—not now.



After about a minute, the blue faded and the night settled all around us. Upon glancing down, I realized the wound had re-opened, sending a fresh stream of blood down the length of my arm. We both let go at the same instant, the bond breaking between us. I noticed that the blood ran down his arm also, staining his white-sleeved shirt. He glanced at it briefly and then dismissed it equally as fast.



“I have business to attend to, unfortunately, that cannot wait, or I would have kept you longer…willwill walk you back to the castle before I leave. I would not want you to be seen. It would not look very good if we were seen together…,” he said, turning back to the Dark Forest where Lucius had disappeared.



I stopped his bleeding arm from rising to his neck. “Don’t worry; I will make sure Lucius keeps his mouth shut. He knows better than to foul either you or me,” I said aloud. Then I whispered to him in my heart, “I do feel the same. It will never be a mistake... for me. We share too much to be separated by such silliness. Age is but a riddle better-left read by the heart.”

The look of concern left his face. He put his hands on my shoulders, smoothing them down my arms and finally gripping my hands. “You are wise beyond your years, my Mistress Michele. I… I just wanted you to know that I have no regrets. No, not with you…”



“Whatever it is, I am sure there are ways to change iI thI think… you are afraid of opening your mind to me. Just so you know—there is no way that anything you think or feel can scare me away. My loyalty to you will never be a question you need to worry about.”

Standing on my tiptoes, I pressed my lips to his again and smiled. A true smile rose to his face, lighting his eyes and softening them just the same.



I removed his cloak from around my shoulders and fastened it back on him, adjusting the edges until it formed perfectly to him again.



“Alright then, let’s go! You have other obligations, dear,” I said, striding ahead of him and donning the invisibility cloak as I headed towards the castle. Quickly realizing that Severus would not be able to see me, I turned and slid my arm beneath his cloak, holding him tightly and resting my head on his vest as we walked. I felt his eyes upon me, although I was wearing the invisibility cloak.

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“Can you sense where I am?” I thought, not realizing he may be listening.

He gave a brilliant smile in my direction and soundlessly answered, “It’s something like that.”

For a long half hour, we walked slowly back to the common room. Thankfully, there was no one roaming the halls that night—Severus walked too slowly for someone to believe that he was alone. As we reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, he reached for the cloak and pulled it around both of us.

“Kiss me just once more before I go…,” he whispered in his head. Suddenly, roughly taking me into his arms, he pressed his lips firmly on mine and left me on the first step of the portrait hole with the cloak still securing my presence.



I walked invisibly into the common room and to bed. Only when I slipped into bed without waking the others, did I pull the cloak off me. I toyed with the pendant and thought, “I’m safely back… make sure you do the same… Goodnight, my Master.”



A silky voice answered back, “Goodnight, my Dark Mistress. I will see you tomorrow.”



END SCENE TWO