Of Death and Fire

night


CHAPTER 26: The long night.
 
..."Lives on the line where dreams are found and lost
I'll be there on time and I'll pay the cost
For wanting things that can only be found
In the darkness on the edge of town"...
(Bruce Springsteen)
 
 
Snape picked up Morgaine's limp body and carried her, not without effort, to Dumbledore's office. He placed her on the couch with a worried expression in his face.
"I'll go get Poppy", said Professor McGonagall, but Snape's voice stopped her.
"No", he said firmly, turning to Dumbledore for support. "This is serious. The less people involved, the safer it is". The old wizard nodded in agreement. Then he took a bottle of brandy from a drawer and poured a few drops in Morgaine's pale lips.
She opened her eyes, but her colour hadn't change. She was still as pale as death. She fixed her eyes at Dumbledore.
"When?" she managed to utter.
"A couple ours urs ago. When he didn't appear for the annual Solstice ritual one of the novices went looking for him". He paused, wishing he could spare her the details. But she deserved to know. "He found him in his study, the veins in his wrists, ankles and throat slit open. And there was no trace of blood in the room". Morgaine's face was wet with tears, and she hid her face in Snape's chest, too deep in her grief to care if others would know. After a brief moment of hesitation, he returned the embrace. "My dear", said the old wizard while he stroke her head, "he looked peaceful. Painful as it may be, he felt it was time to go, feeding his blood to the spirits that had served him all his life". Morgaine was sobbing uncontrollably now. Still stroking her head, Dumbledore continued. "He left something for you. A letter, written in his blood". He reached in his robes and took out a rolled parchment.
Morgaine looked at him, trying to control her sobbing, and took the parchment with trembling hands.
Dumbledore rose and looked at her with sad eyes.
"I'll leave you now to your mourning, my child. But when your pain has eased, you must return to the Guild Headquarters. As a member of the Inner Circle, you have a vote on the election of the next Guildmaster". He turned to leave, taking Professor McGonagall with him. Before exiting, he waved at Snape. When he approached him, he whispered, "She should not be left alone tonight, Severus".
"She won't be alone, Albus", he replied in confirmation. The old wizard knew everything after all.
~*~
She unrolled the parchment and started reading.
 
Aurion Whitebone, Defender of the Silver Dragon, Master Conjurer and Head of the Order of the Flaming Scull.
Winter Solstice, the longest darkness of the longest night.
It's my time to go.
Weep not for me, beloved, because I die contend. Hate me not, for choosing for my death the day of your own birth. It is only fitting to close the circle I opened thirty yearss ago with my own blood. I never forgot the day I held you in my arms, a small screaming baby covered in blood, brought in this world through my spell of dark magic. I loved you on sight and with this image I wish to make my transition.
I have been weak, my love, light of my starless night. I have seen the war ahead and I know I lack the courage to stand up to the Darkness. I have seen too many winters, too much blood and death, and I have to step aside for those younger than myself to hold the line. Such as yourself.
I have broken every vow I ever made in my life, child of my magic. Hate me not for what I'm about to tell you. I've hated myself enough for a dozen lifetimes. Forgive the old crone who dared to look upon your face, daring to think he wouldn't get burned by your fire. But the night I spent in your arms was worth an eternity in hell. You thought I was someone else when you took me in your arms, feverish, delirious. I have no excuse but my love. The same love that moves the dagger on my wrists as my last offering.
I have betrayed you. I have betrayed our Gods, who have demanded complete obedience and celibacy on my part. Tonight I'll offer my blood to our beloved dead, forming a crimson pentagram with my body. But before I go, I had to let you know I've loved you, beyond life and beyond death. Please ask Albus to forgive me for not standing on his side in the upcoming war. And tell Severus that I admit my error in my judgement. If you love him, then there must be something good in him.
The night is falling. Child of my starless night, I must go. But know this: Our Lord and Master is Strict but Just. One day, after I've served my penance, I will see you again, beyond the boundaries of flesh and the limits of time.
Remember me in love,
Aurion.
~*~
Snape watched her face as she read the letter. From letelete grief her expression changed to understanding, to love and ...to hope? By the time she raised her eyes from the parchment, her tears had dried out. She turned and looked at him with puffy but bright eyes. He did not dare to ask about the contents of the letter.
"He wanted me to tell you he was wrong about you. He finally came to the conclusion you must have something good in you", she whispered in a trembling voice. But she was smiling. She folded the parchment in four and hid it inside her robe, close to her heart. Staring into the air before her, she spoke again in a steadier voice.
"I'd like to be alone tonight, Severus".
"I'm afraid I can't do that", he replied, his voice unusually kind. Strict orders from the Headmaster himself", he explained, and this time he smiled as well.
"Your rosebush or mine?" she teased him, but her eyes were still sad.
~*~
Later that night, they lied in bed cuddled, none of them being in any sexual mood. Each was lost in a train of thoughts. He was stroking her hair, until unwillingly he touched the scar on the side of her neck. She jumped back with a cry of pain. Startled, he stared at her.
"I'm sorry, I hadn't realized it hurts so much", he apologized.
"Neither had I", she replied, rubbing her sore skin. "It usually hurts when my darkside wakes", she added softly and returned in his arms. There was no use in telling him she had felt the urge to end her own life tonight.
Not really satisfied with her answer, he attempted to change the subject.
"Who is in line to succeed him?" he asked casually.
"Oh, a few names come to mind, with Elric Argentum my best guess. He's a good man, and a respected leader", she replied, not really interested in politics. But his next question caught her off guard.
"Would you accept the job if you were voted for?" His voice was deadly serious. This would be the perfect solution. Away from Malfoy and his schemes, out of Voldemort's reach inside the Guild's protection and a valued ally in the upcoming war.
She looked at him with big, feverish eyes.
"No", she declared. "I've chosen my fight. Others are more qualified to lead than I am. Besides", she added in a naughty voice, "did you think I would go away and leave you alone among a horde of horny teenage Slytherin girls?"
He couldn't help but smile and kiss her, cursing her stubbornness inside.
If all else fails, he thought, it's her stubbornness that will save her from the Dark Lord.
Little did he know that this would come true.
 
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Ok, short chapter, I know. While I'm pondering on how to proceed, why don't you leave me a review?