The long and winding road to love
The truth
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I absolutely ADORE this chapter! I
really like it; I hope you’ll find it pleasant to read.
Thanks for your reviewswillwill answer
them today at my LJ. (My ID is FlorWS; www.livejournal.com/users/florws)style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
Here it is; chapter 37. Enjoy!
Chapter 37: The truth.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>I
reckon that all totalitarian regimes have an extreme fear of ideas. Religion
during Communism in
EN-GB'> from 1917 to the fall of the Berlin Wall- is a clear example of the
power of faith, of the power of the mind and the apprehension it provokes on those
who want, or do, rule us.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>History
tell us that in 1937 more than 136000 men and women who devoted their lives to
the church in Russia were arrested and that soon after their capture, 85000 of
them were murdered because of the power they held over the hearts and minds of
the people.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>There
are not so many things, my friends, as dangerous as the power of ideas, of
knowledge, of faith. It can easily erase cities from the world’s map and it can
also overthrow administrations of any kinds. That is probably why the ones in
charge of the political and economical power have always tried to vanquish the
icons of those ideas. But it doesn’t really matter whether the flesh is dead or
not, ideas are like balloons that fly free in the sky of blue until they reach
someone else far away from the place in which they were originally released.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>So,
in the end, one can burn the books- like they did in Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451-
in order for ideas to die, but reality is that they sleep within oneself and
that not even death can destroy them because they are so much powerful than
life.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>Unfortunately
for Lucius Malfoy, ignorance is always related to evn stn stories such as this
for he ignored that Severus was loyal to a dead Dumbledore but above all
things, he ignored that even after his death people would still believe in
goodness, in boldness, in truth, in honesty, in loyalty, in all things related
to the side of light.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“Lucius,”
Severus said, with his head inside the green flames, “Lucius,” he shouted at
the top of his lungs for Lucius to hear, wherever he was. But no one came to
meet him. Once again, he shouted: “Lucius! Lucius,”.
However, no one answered his plea.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>He
soon gave up after his throat failed to pronounce the name correctly and
started wondering about his dear Hermione who was sleeping peacefully on the
leather sofa located in his safe chambers at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>How
much he longed making love to her! The idea of her erected nipples, of her once
shaved curls, of his fingers in her mouth while slowly being penetrated by him
made him sweat cold drops of chastity. Those were just a few of all the images
he ran in his head over and over again, desperately trying not to miss her by
sexual stimulation. But no amount of self pleasure could replace her soft
moans, her agitated respiration, her sweet perspiration, her sensual smile.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“NOclass=GramE>!,” he shouted, shaking his head from side to side and
banging it with his right hand. All things related to an erotic nature should
be banned from his head. Dumbledore was dead and all his moves needed to be
precise for the tiniest of mistakes could cost the lives of many. So he kept
shouting because the Order could not afford reckless errors, “Luciusclass=GramE>!,” he cried.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"TrebuchS";mS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>After
perhaps minutes of yelling his name, the dark mind behind evil itself appeared
dressed in red robes like the devil.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“Severus!
What a pleasure to see you again,” Lucius cynically stated, convinced that his
friend in arms was there to supply him with good news.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“The
pleasure is all mine, dear friend. I bring an excellent gift,” Severus said,
smiling slightly.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“Do
speak, Severus,” us eus eagerly said, slapping his hands together and rubbing
them in mild anticipation, as if Snape’s news represented nothing more than a
banquet for him and his Death Eaters.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“He
is no longer a threat,” the Potion’s Master confessed with pure evil in his
eyes. Lucius knew not of the nature of Severus’ wicked glare but sure enough he
had no idea that it was related to him and his sinful plans.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>
s='fo='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“When
can I see him?,” Lucius asked with his eyes wide open.
Severus Snape could not help but wonder if Lucius resembled
EN-GB'>Saint Thomas
a certain point: both of them needed to see in order to believe. But then,
after a moment worth of reflection, he decided that there was certainly no
similarity between these two characters. How foolish of him to compare Lucius
to an apostle.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“When
do you find it convenient?,” Hermione’s husband asked,
trying not to picture Lucius with an aureole on his head. No. That image was
impossible to create, not even within a person’s mind.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“Nowclass=GramE>!,” Lucius said, anxiously waiting the moment he could
contemplate Dumbledore’s numb body.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“Then,
I should return to Dumbledore’s Chambers and connect your Floo Network to his,”
Severus explained, trying to finish with that meglesgless conversation for once
and for all. He had in his hands the perfect excuse to kiss Hermione’s forehead
one more time before battle because he knew as well as he knew that he loved
her that a war was in order, and he could do nothing to prevent it. He had
learned that long ago from a very wise man who lay now cold in his bed, as
white as his beard, as pale as a ghost.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>However,
Lucius Malfoy was no fool and he could sense that something was wrong.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“Where
are you talking to me from, Severus?,” he asked,
rubbing his chin in interrogation. Severus Snape swallowed hard while tiny
drops of sweat soaked his raven hair. He smirked in order for Lucius to
understand the stupid nature of his quen, bn, but Lucius did not grin back. He
had the tiny suspicion that his best friend from school was hiding something
from him, “You would not lie to me, or would you Severus?,”
he enquired, staring at the Head of Slytherin House.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“Of
course not,” Severus answered without hesitation, “I am speaking through Mr.
Borgin’s Floo Network, at Knockturn Alley. You know his store, you have been
there in the past, I am sure,” Severus answered with a reproachful look on his
face. Lucius felt ashamed; his contradictory feelings for Mrs. Snape had made
him doubt his best friend’s loyalty. It had been rather unintelligent of him to
do so. After all, Severus Snape had never shown unfaithfulness to the Dark
side; he had proved trustworthy throughout his life.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“I
am sorry, my old friend,” Lucius said, shaking his head rather quickly, “I
shall wait, then,”
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“Certainly,
Lucius,” Severus answered, taking a bow as if suddenly- after Dumbledore’s
death- Lucius had become omnipotent, the king of darkness.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“You
have performed excellently, Severus. I am very proud,” Lucius stated for the
very last time before letting his best friend go. Time was an important factor.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>Severus
did not know this but that would be the very last time he would ever visit
Malfoy Manor or speak politely to Lucius.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“I
will see you soon, then,” Severus said, before disappearing into the fire. Soon
enough the green flames had ate his best friend’s head and Lucius Malfoy was
left alone with his thoughts, to reflect about his next steps.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>The
spell flew out of his mouth without him intending to pronounce those words
while his wand reacted to the sounds with a marves cis circular movement. That
was it. He had done it; all his Death Eaters would soon arrive at Malfoy Manor
and so would war.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>One
by one, all the members of the Dark Lord’s circle of malevolence apparated in a
second after receiving the sign Lucius had created in the sky for them-and the
world- to see. It was the same image they had once wore on their skins as a
medal of honour. And now, after all they had been through, the side of dark was
finally terrorizing thousands of wizards again by a mere drawing in the sky.
Those who had proven useless and disloyal were going to pay the price of their
daring.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>Thus
thirty minutes after Severus departure, a room full of people in dressing robes
stood in front of Lucius’ eyes which were shinning with joy. Those were,
indeed, the eyes of a madman.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“The
day has come, my friends!,” Lucius shouted with his arms wide open, “Dumbledore
is no lona tha threat,” he stated while a crowd of approximately a hundred men,
women and children roared like elated lions about to eat their long awaited
meal, “Yes, my comrades! Albus Dumbledore is dead and even though I have not
seen his body yet, my most faithful servant has and I trust his every word for
he has managed to kill the only obstacle between us and power!,” he shouted,
even louder, “To Severus Snape!,” he commanded, with his glass up in the air.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“To
Severus Snape!,” they all shouted, in unison. And they
all drank their ports for there was no sweeter wine than the one which
represents revenge.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“To
the Dark Lord!” Lucius shouted, raising his glass once again.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“To
the Dark Lord,” they all shouted once again, as if they were a unique voice.
And opening their mouths, they filled their stomachs with the warmest of
elixirs.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“To
Lucius Malfoy!,” a man with horrible skin said from the very back of the room
and the rest of Voldemort’s servants raised their glasses once again to
pronounce the name of the man whose ambitions hadstyle='mso-spacerun:yes'> made it all possible.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“A
mon santé!” Lucius said in very exquisite French with an even more exquisite
smile. The words “to my health” seemed appropriate for the new King of
Darkness, “And of course, Mr. Borgin! Without you my dear friend, Severus
Snape, would not have found a place to communicate with me. To Mr. Borginclass=GramE>!,” Lucius shouted, oncain.ain. He was obviously drunk
because I doubt he would have wasted his time thanking a peasant such as Mr.
Borgin if sober.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>The
little man with horrible skin which had proposed to a toast to Lucius Malfoy
some minutes ago seemed surprised by his new master’s comment. He had certainly
not seen Severus Snape in quite a while, at least not since he had married
Hermione Granger.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>Limping
through the crowd of drunken men, intoxicated women and euphoric children, he
murmured in Lucius ear: “Sir, I am afraid you are usedused. Mr. Snape did not
visit my store tonight. In fact, it has been long since he last visited me,
sir,” Borgin confessed in a low whisper. The crowd was laughing and drinking
Lucius’ marvellous wine collection when with a crack of his fingers, the room
went as silent as a graveyard.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>“Avery,
Macnair, Goyle, Crabbe…,” Lucius requested their presence in the lowest of
voices. He needn’t worry the rest of the crowd; they seemed to be enjoying
themselves greatly. Sure enough their services would be needed soon, but for
now it was not necessary to spoil theightight.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>When
the four men reached the chair in which Lucius had stood for his speech, the
new Dark Lord ordered them the most sinful of joto mto murder youth; to murder
love, “You have been chosen, Avery, Macnair, Goyle and Crabbe to kidnap
Hermione Granger. I want her alive… that is the only condition. Beat her, if
you must. Rape her, if you want. But bring Hermione Granger with a beating
heart,” Lucius ordered with abhorrence in his light blue eyes. His pale skin
was no longer white but red as his robes and his once relaxed muscles where
tense in anger.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>Severus
Snape was going to pay.
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>Lucius
had a tiny suspicion of the whereabouts of Hermione Granger. Where could she be
at this time of night if not in the chambers she shared with Severus Snape? He
ordered his men to travel by Floo Network to Snape’s chambers at Hogwarts and
so they did, because in a war one cannot refuse superior’s orders. And the war
had started, indeed.
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>Severus
Snape was going to pay.
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