#7 ~ The Ghost and Lady Snape
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
32
Views:
20,785
Reviews:
261
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
32
Views:
20,785
Reviews:
261
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Breaking Free
Disclaimer: All characters belong to JKR (except Marcus Delaluci). All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 26 ~ Breaking Free
Cassandra glared at the two people frowning down on the paralyzed Marcus. She was still covered in her ritual paint and prickings. She looked back at Marcus, then returned her gaze to the two projected fears.
“What are you supposed to be?” she asked them. They did not acknowledge her, but continued to glare balefully at Marcus, exerting their power..
“You are not spirit. You do not belong here, creatures of lies!” the Obeah continued.
“You do not exist. You are born from the darkness. You have no life! Yst you try to steal life, but it will not come to you! You lie. You are not this man’s parents. This man’s parents loved him. They loved him with all the power two people can love a child! They loved him when they left this world, and love him even now!”
Cassandra made a gesture, and above them appeared two glowing disks. The disks darkened and features formed. They turned into the faces of Marcus’ mother and father, and they shined down a powerful light, that bathed Cassandra, Marcus and the two fear-induced creatures in a pulsating glow. They smiled tenderly at their son. The two images eyes’ slid upward.
“Now you see! That is love and love never dies. They would never curse their son. A mother would never stop her love, no matter what he’s done. She may not approve, but she can no sooner stop loving him, than stop her own heartbeat! Look upon the face of love, and flee! A father would not condemn his son. His actions, yes. But he would not cease loving him! Look upon the face of love, you spawn of blackness. This man is loved! He does not belong to you! Go back to the darkness from whence you came, and leave him alone! Cassandra commands it, and love supports it. Begone!”
The images wavered, then slowly began to fade, as Marcus stirred. He lifted his head, looking up at the faces that smiled kindly down on him. His mother mouthed, “I love you” as his father continued to smile, his blue eyes filled with affection. Marcus’ eyes glistened with tears as he continued to stare upward.
Cassandra fuzzed for a moment, then was covered in a bright yellow sari. Her head was bound also with a yellow turban. The ritual paint was gone. She turned to Marcus and kneeled, placing her warm hand against his cheek, smiling at him. His violet eyes met her honey-colored orbs.
“There now, dragon man. The lies are gone. Your fears are unfounded. Your people love you, and have always loved you. They never stopped and will never stop,” Cassandra said as she gestured upward toward his mother and father, “Look upon their faces, for these are their true faces. I have called them from their happy place to see you and to save you. They never hesitated to come. You are loved, dragon man. And soon, more love will come to you. So stand up!”
Marcus looked at his parents faces for a moment, then leveled his eyes at Cassandra, who slipped her hands under his arms and helped him rise to his feet. She brushed him off, then bent and picked up his sword and shield, handing them to him. The faces above faded.
“Now, you go kill that evil spirit, hear dragon man? You avenge those women and all he has injured in his wicked life. You do that, dragon man, and some light will come.”
Cassandra kissed him softly on his mouth. Marcus looked down at her, unable to speak.
“You do that,” she whispered, “and then you come to Cassandra.”
Suddenly, Marcus dropped his weapons, grabbed the Obeah woman and kissed her passionately. Cassandra struggled for a moment, and then relaxed, kissing him back before pulling away.
“Cha! You are too rude, dragon man!” she scolded, but with a slight grin, “I will have to teach you manners. You just don’t grab a woman. Bloodclot!”
Marcus still stared at her, his passion evident in his eyes, which were telescoping wildly. Cassandra clucked her tongue.
“I have to return and keep an eye on you from below. More help is coming, Marcus. You have an army that you do not know.”
The Obeah turned to Severus and Hermione. Hermione walked forward.
“Thank you for bringing him back,” she said, “we need him.”
Cassandra looked at Hermione rather coldly. “You have a powerful mind, witch…but little understanding. Not everyone will meet your standards. Not everyone is easily redeemed. But everyone is worthy of redemption and forgiveness.”
Cassandra’s eyes slid meaningfully toward Severus, and back to Hermione.
“One would think you, of all people, would know better,” the Obeah woman said, then looked at her sharply, her eyes glowing slightly. “Soon, your fear will come. I cannot save you. You must look to love,” she looked at Severus intensely. “Only that will save you.”
In a burst of light, the Obeah was gone, leaving Hermione chastened and confused.
Marcus retrieved his weapons, and returned to stand with the two.
“Let’s move,” he said shortly, his eyes hard with determination. Alistar had to fall.
Severus nodded, and Peeves moved forward, leading the way again. Marcus fell in step behind him. So did Severus. Hermione followed, deep in thought.
Her husband slowed, waiting for her. Hermione looked up at him.
“She said my fear would soon manifest, Severus. After what it did to Marcus…I’m afraid,” she said softly.
Severus put his arm around her shoulder. White light flared around them.
“Don’t worry, Hermione. I’ll be with you,” he said
The couple followed Marcus and Peeves into the unknown.
***************************
Alistar sensed Marcus’ weakening and was filled with rage and apprehension. He could not afford to lose the one living source of more dragon’s blood. He hastened, the searching cords extended before him. He would latch on to the darkness in the wizard, and drain him. Then after he destroyed the husband of the muggle-born and absorbed her power, he would return for their bodies and drain the blood. He would be powerful enough to ignore the ancient who guarded them.
Behind him, the spirits sent by Cassandra followed at a discreet distance and higher level, their glowing eyes intent on the evil apparation. They were ready for freedom and would do their best to help overcome him.
*****************************
Albus rested his hand on Marcus’ forehead. The wizard’s color had returned, and he was no longer in need of the cooling spell. The Headmaster sighed with relief, and wished he could do more for the three travelers. He checked Hermione and Severus, who seemed fine. He sat down in the comfortable armchair and stared at his three charges. Three hours had passed…they only had a little time left before they returned. He wished them well.
****************************
Marcus walked behind Peeves, feeling out of sorts that Severus and Hermione witnessed his deepest fear. He had not known that he was afraid his parents would be ashamed of him. He never allowed himself to openly think of such a possibility. He compartmentalized his memories and thoughts. His Eradicator days were stored away, rarely brought to light. He didn’t dwell on those he had killed. It made no sense to. He had a job, and did his duty. It had never been personal. He couldn’t concern himself with the morality of taking a life. His past would haunt him otherwise. Instead, he lost himself in short-term self-gratification, and the search for constant danger. It was what always had worked for him. Being brought to his knees by his fear was an experience he would never forget. The last time he felt so weak and helpless was when his parents were murdered, and he was left to make his way through the world alone. Being weak made you an easy target, so he became strong, self-sufficent, and did what he had to do to survive and kept the world away from him by becoming someone to fear. Unfortunately, it kept the kinder things of the world from him too, such as friendship and love.
He thought about Cassandra. She was something else. She actually came to his aid, personally, and rescued him. He had never needed rescuing before. He wasn’t sure how he felt about a woman saving him. He licked his lips. Kissing her was like drowning a terrible thirst he didn’t know he had. And he was still thirsty for her. He had to get through this. There was something with that woman. Something he needed to understand badly. He walked on, not noticing the slight, dim glow that began to surround him.
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A/N: Next up, Hermione has to face her fear…and it isn’t pretty. Alistar is drawing closer. Please review
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Chapter 26 ~ Breaking Free
Cassandra glared at the two people frowning down on the paralyzed Marcus. She was still covered in her ritual paint and prickings. She looked back at Marcus, then returned her gaze to the two projected fears.
“What are you supposed to be?” she asked them. They did not acknowledge her, but continued to glare balefully at Marcus, exerting their power..
“You are not spirit. You do not belong here, creatures of lies!” the Obeah continued.
“You do not exist. You are born from the darkness. You have no life! Yst you try to steal life, but it will not come to you! You lie. You are not this man’s parents. This man’s parents loved him. They loved him with all the power two people can love a child! They loved him when they left this world, and love him even now!”
Cassandra made a gesture, and above them appeared two glowing disks. The disks darkened and features formed. They turned into the faces of Marcus’ mother and father, and they shined down a powerful light, that bathed Cassandra, Marcus and the two fear-induced creatures in a pulsating glow. They smiled tenderly at their son. The two images eyes’ slid upward.
“Now you see! That is love and love never dies. They would never curse their son. A mother would never stop her love, no matter what he’s done. She may not approve, but she can no sooner stop loving him, than stop her own heartbeat! Look upon the face of love, and flee! A father would not condemn his son. His actions, yes. But he would not cease loving him! Look upon the face of love, you spawn of blackness. This man is loved! He does not belong to you! Go back to the darkness from whence you came, and leave him alone! Cassandra commands it, and love supports it. Begone!”
The images wavered, then slowly began to fade, as Marcus stirred. He lifted his head, looking up at the faces that smiled kindly down on him. His mother mouthed, “I love you” as his father continued to smile, his blue eyes filled with affection. Marcus’ eyes glistened with tears as he continued to stare upward.
Cassandra fuzzed for a moment, then was covered in a bright yellow sari. Her head was bound also with a yellow turban. The ritual paint was gone. She turned to Marcus and kneeled, placing her warm hand against his cheek, smiling at him. His violet eyes met her honey-colored orbs.
“There now, dragon man. The lies are gone. Your fears are unfounded. Your people love you, and have always loved you. They never stopped and will never stop,” Cassandra said as she gestured upward toward his mother and father, “Look upon their faces, for these are their true faces. I have called them from their happy place to see you and to save you. They never hesitated to come. You are loved, dragon man. And soon, more love will come to you. So stand up!”
Marcus looked at his parents faces for a moment, then leveled his eyes at Cassandra, who slipped her hands under his arms and helped him rise to his feet. She brushed him off, then bent and picked up his sword and shield, handing them to him. The faces above faded.
“Now, you go kill that evil spirit, hear dragon man? You avenge those women and all he has injured in his wicked life. You do that, dragon man, and some light will come.”
Cassandra kissed him softly on his mouth. Marcus looked down at her, unable to speak.
“You do that,” she whispered, “and then you come to Cassandra.”
Suddenly, Marcus dropped his weapons, grabbed the Obeah woman and kissed her passionately. Cassandra struggled for a moment, and then relaxed, kissing him back before pulling away.
“Cha! You are too rude, dragon man!” she scolded, but with a slight grin, “I will have to teach you manners. You just don’t grab a woman. Bloodclot!”
Marcus still stared at her, his passion evident in his eyes, which were telescoping wildly. Cassandra clucked her tongue.
“I have to return and keep an eye on you from below. More help is coming, Marcus. You have an army that you do not know.”
The Obeah turned to Severus and Hermione. Hermione walked forward.
“Thank you for bringing him back,” she said, “we need him.”
Cassandra looked at Hermione rather coldly. “You have a powerful mind, witch…but little understanding. Not everyone will meet your standards. Not everyone is easily redeemed. But everyone is worthy of redemption and forgiveness.”
Cassandra’s eyes slid meaningfully toward Severus, and back to Hermione.
“One would think you, of all people, would know better,” the Obeah woman said, then looked at her sharply, her eyes glowing slightly. “Soon, your fear will come. I cannot save you. You must look to love,” she looked at Severus intensely. “Only that will save you.”
In a burst of light, the Obeah was gone, leaving Hermione chastened and confused.
Marcus retrieved his weapons, and returned to stand with the two.
“Let’s move,” he said shortly, his eyes hard with determination. Alistar had to fall.
Severus nodded, and Peeves moved forward, leading the way again. Marcus fell in step behind him. So did Severus. Hermione followed, deep in thought.
Her husband slowed, waiting for her. Hermione looked up at him.
“She said my fear would soon manifest, Severus. After what it did to Marcus…I’m afraid,” she said softly.
Severus put his arm around her shoulder. White light flared around them.
“Don’t worry, Hermione. I’ll be with you,” he said
The couple followed Marcus and Peeves into the unknown.
***************************
Alistar sensed Marcus’ weakening and was filled with rage and apprehension. He could not afford to lose the one living source of more dragon’s blood. He hastened, the searching cords extended before him. He would latch on to the darkness in the wizard, and drain him. Then after he destroyed the husband of the muggle-born and absorbed her power, he would return for their bodies and drain the blood. He would be powerful enough to ignore the ancient who guarded them.
Behind him, the spirits sent by Cassandra followed at a discreet distance and higher level, their glowing eyes intent on the evil apparation. They were ready for freedom and would do their best to help overcome him.
*****************************
Albus rested his hand on Marcus’ forehead. The wizard’s color had returned, and he was no longer in need of the cooling spell. The Headmaster sighed with relief, and wished he could do more for the three travelers. He checked Hermione and Severus, who seemed fine. He sat down in the comfortable armchair and stared at his three charges. Three hours had passed…they only had a little time left before they returned. He wished them well.
****************************
Marcus walked behind Peeves, feeling out of sorts that Severus and Hermione witnessed his deepest fear. He had not known that he was afraid his parents would be ashamed of him. He never allowed himself to openly think of such a possibility. He compartmentalized his memories and thoughts. His Eradicator days were stored away, rarely brought to light. He didn’t dwell on those he had killed. It made no sense to. He had a job, and did his duty. It had never been personal. He couldn’t concern himself with the morality of taking a life. His past would haunt him otherwise. Instead, he lost himself in short-term self-gratification, and the search for constant danger. It was what always had worked for him. Being brought to his knees by his fear was an experience he would never forget. The last time he felt so weak and helpless was when his parents were murdered, and he was left to make his way through the world alone. Being weak made you an easy target, so he became strong, self-sufficent, and did what he had to do to survive and kept the world away from him by becoming someone to fear. Unfortunately, it kept the kinder things of the world from him too, such as friendship and love.
He thought about Cassandra. She was something else. She actually came to his aid, personally, and rescued him. He had never needed rescuing before. He wasn’t sure how he felt about a woman saving him. He licked his lips. Kissing her was like drowning a terrible thirst he didn’t know he had. And he was still thirsty for her. He had to get through this. There was something with that woman. Something he needed to understand badly. He walked on, not noticing the slight, dim glow that began to surround him.
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A/N: Next up, Hermione has to face her fear…and it isn’t pretty. Alistar is drawing closer. Please review