Angelica's Sorrow

A/N - to all of you who have reviewed I thank you. Please, forgive me for not responding to each of you, but the site is rather touchy right now. Hopefully, the chapter will post.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN


After leaving Angelica and Albus, Severus fully intended to retire to his quarters to start inspecting the journal. He was gloating a bit over the fact he would have first perusal and not the headmaster. Fate does have a nasty custom of handing out the odd twist now and again. Such was Abner Whimple\'s lot on this late Sunday afternoon as he met the Potions Master exiting the spiral staircase.

\"Move out of my way. I need to see Dumbledore,\" Abner said, trying to push past Severus.

Holding his ground, Severus inquired, \"Indeed? He is otherwise occupied at this time.\"

\"It doesn\'t matter. This is very important and he won\'t thank you for not letting me through.\"

\"Perhaps I didn\'t account for the fact English is your second language. He - is - busy.\"

\"I understood you perfectly! I am auentuent in English as I am in French. You must be pretty thick not to notice I don\'t even have an accent.\"

\"I\'ve noticed a great many things about you, Mr. Whimple. Your lack of an accent is the least of them.\" Snape\'s voice had turned deadly. Abner failed to notice the arms crossing as well, but this could perhaps be excused. He, after all, had never had the pleasure of being a student at Hogwarts.

\"If you would care to inform me what could possibly be important enough to interrupt, I might be persuaded to make the attempt on your behalf.\" Severus took a step forward, forcing him back, which in turn allowed the staircase to close. \"Your mouth is hanging open, Mr. Whimple. It would be prudent to close it before you start drooling on the floor. Filch would not be pleased.\"

\"You did that on purpose!\"

\"I commend you on your astute observation. Do you have any further astounding proclamations to make? I have enjoyed our little tete-a-tete, but I, like Professor Dumbledore, do have prior commitments. Nor do I have the patience to fence words with someone obviously lacking the proper storage facilities for the equipment.\"

Whimple was left totally confused, which amused Snape to no end.

\"If you manage to unravel the insult, feel free to challenge me, won\'t you? It will do the world a tremendous favor and perhaps save a few lives,\" he sneered, unfolding his arms and sweeping past the befuddled twit.

\"You\'re as archaic as that batty Medi-witch Pomfrey. When I get done talking with Dumbledore I\'m sure you\'ll be out the door along with that bloody cow. Especially since she doesn\'t have my expertise to help with that Potter fellow. I hear he\'s a favorite of Dumbledore and -\"

Finding yourself pressed to a wall with a wand at your throat would tend to render you speechless. Especially if the wizard involved was several inches taller and appeared furious. At the least, a reasonably intelligent person would have mumbled an apology if unable to keep their comments to themselves.

\"Let me go! Get that thing away from me!\"

\"I will warn you one time, Mr. Whimple. Any and all disparaging comments about or to Madam Pomfrey will cease as his his moment. I would have no compunctions at all in relieving her distress if you persist in your pompous ignorance. Coming from France, you may be unaware of my history. Tell me, have you heard of the Death Eaters?\"

Whimple\'s eyes bulged as he whispered, \"Yes, you mean - you - Oh, Gods.\"

\"It would be wise to make your peace if you wish to continue in this vein. Remember my warning. It\'s the only one you will receive,\" he hissed, releasing his hold and watching while Whimple slid to the floor.

Terrified beyond reason, he scrambled on all fours away from the towering vision of evil personified. Fate was temporarily satisfied at this point and allowed the escape to his chambers. Hastily packing, Whimple counted his blessings that he was still alive and whole. Getting out of this insane castle was suddenly much more paramount than talking to Dumbledore. In the future, old acquaintances would remark on his changed nature and that the stay at Hogwarts had been good for him. He would shiver and change the subject. After all, you never knew who might be a Death Eater. Fate merely smiled and continued to observe.

Minerva was on her way to Albus\' office when she observed the result of the altercation.

\"Severus, why is Mr. Whimple on all fours?\"

\"I would assume he lacks the necessary backbone to maintain an upright position.\"

\"Really? I always thought he had his head too far up his own arse.\"

\"Perhaps it\'s a combination. He indicated there was something wrong with Mr. Potter. I was going to the ward to check.\"

\"He had a emotional break-down in my office. I was on my way to tell Albus. According to Poppy this is a good development, but I don\'t mind telling you, I\'m worried.\"

\"Albus is in the Chamber with Angelica at the moment. I could fetch him,\" he offered, thinking, \'Emotional? Wonder if Angelica did more than she realized?\'

\"I would appreciate it.\"


\"But you must agree. I won\'t have it any other way,\" Angelica stated.

\"I am beginning to understand why Severus spends so much of his free time down here. You are delightful.\"

\"Flattery will not get me to change mnd.\nd.\"

Noise sounding from the floo garnered their attention. Severus stepped out and stated, \"Albus, there has been a development with Mr. Potter that requires your attention. Minerva is waiting in your office.\"

\"Angelica, may I return another time and continue our debate?\" he asked, as he rose from the chair.

\"I would be honored, Albus.\"

\"I will join you later, Headmaster. I have a few things I need to discuss with Angelica,\" Severus said, moving away from the floo.

\"Make it fairly soon if you will. I have a few tiontions,\" Albus stated, throwing the powder and disappearing.

\"Angelica, what exactly did you do to Mr. Potter?\"

\"I told you before.\"

\"He apparently has had an emotional break-down. I\'m sure you understand why I need more detail. Was there anything different?\"

\"I didn\'t mean to harm him, only stop him. Will he recover?\"

\"Minerva told me Poppy considered it a positive development, but what it involves I do not know.\"

\"Perhaps it was caused when I breached the second wall.\"

\"What \'walls\' do you speak of?\"

\"The few people I\'ve had contact with have what I can only describe as a wall around their emotions. I am able to pass through and read them easily. Your Mr. Potter had a second one that I had to break through.\"

\"What occurred after that?\"

\"I stunned him and you know the rest.\"

\"What happened to the wall?\"

\"It\'s hard to explain. It didn\'t shatter, but the breach remained after I left. Could this be the cause?\"

\"Probably, but I wouldn\'t worry, Angelica. From what you\'ve described I think you did Mr. Potter a good turn. The only sore point may be telling Albus. I may never hear the end of it.\"

\"Why?\"

\"From the beginning he has been concerned over any abilities you might possess. When I was using the pensieve on Mr. Malfoy he didn\'t want me to be alone with you. I assured him there was nothing you could do other than speak to us. He will delight in rubbing my nose in it for many years to come.\"

Severus sank into the chair. His head, which had been resting on the back, suddenly sprang forward and he asked, \"Is there anything else I should be aware of? Let me rephrase - are you capable of doing anything else?\"

\"There is nothing more. Why does Albus need to be informed? I am fairly certain no one will be able to ascertain my involvement.\"

\"If I had taken the time to turn the hospital cot back into a desk, it might have been possible. As it stands, as soon as I return to his office there will be questions.\"

\"I see. Why did you lie to me earlier? When you and Albus were discussing the strands you suddenly became very morose.\"

\"Would you permit me to answer that question another time? I don\'t have enough information to give you an intelligent response.\"

\"Will you lie to me then?\"

\"No. I imagine I should go face my comeuppance. Waiting will not improve the display of glee he is sure to give me.\"

\"Will it really be that horrible?\"

\"Oh, my dear Angelica. You have no idea how much pleasure Albus will take in being proven right once again. His opinion of his omnipotence will increase tenfold and we will all suffer his smug expression for months,\" he said as he rose and strolled to the floo. \"Good afternoon.\"

\"Good afternoon, Severus.\"



\"Albus, if you\'ve quite finished gloating, there is something else I wish to discuss.\"

\"Mr. Whimple?\"

\"That gibbering idiot? Did he finally manage to corner you so he could whimper on your shoulder?\" Severus asked. \"Could come up with a clever tag there - Whimple the wimp? Whimpering Whimple? Much better, reminds me of whomping willow. There\'s an idea,\" he muttered the last.

\"You needn\'t concern yourself over any future - arrangements for Mr. Whimple. Poppy has informed me she terminated his apprenticeship and he is no longer residing in the castle. He didn\'t even take the time to say farewell to anyone, which was rather rude.\"

\"As fascinating as the subject matter is, that is not what I wish to discuss.\"

\"Could it be the book you purloined from the bier room?\"

\"You\'re going to be insufferable aren\'t you? Must I grovel or will you simply explain how you knew?\"

\"Angelica and I were having a pleasant conversation, but the spike of excitement coming from you was difficult to ignore. I happened to glance over as you were slipping it in your pocket. I take it you didn\'t want to discuss it around Angelica.\"

\"No. I haven\'t had the opportunity to do more than skim a few pages, but it appears to be a much more comprehensive journal of Salazar\'s day to day activities,\" he said as he drew the book from his robes. Placing it flat on the desk he took the opportunity to cast another deep revealing spell. \"It\'s safe to open, only a preservative. I don\'t suppose you\'re going to give me the opportunity to read it as well?\"

\"Given the circumstances over the last few months, what harm would it do? Your opinion of him couldn\'t decline any farther, could it?\"

\"He\'s slightly above Voldemort, but hanging by the proverbial thread. Your\'s can\'t be much better.\"

\"You know I am bound to speak no ill of the founders as long as I am headmaster.\"

\"Very convenient for you.\"

\"I said I could speak no ill. That doesn\'t mean it affects my personal beliefs or my own journals. Now, let me try to identify the pages we seek.\"

Dumbledore pulled his wand as he slid the journal in front of him. The wand made a pass over the top as he closed his eyes and mumbled a few words. Snape caught only one fairly clearly, which was the name Angelica. The journal opened and the pages flipped until it was three quarters of the way through. Sheathing his wand, Albus began skimming, quickly turning pages. Several minutes passed before he stopped and read a few pages quite closely. Placing a bookmark, he closed the volume and sighed.

\"It is as I feared.\"

\"Albus!\"

\"He used his powers as one of the founders. The central core was accessed in the binding. A current headmaster can release it.\"

\"Why do you fear this? You can unbind her.\"

Albus raised his head and said sadly, \"But only to let her die, Severus. There is nothing else. She either stays bound until the end of Hogwarts or she dies.\"

Severus rose from the chair in front of the desk and began pacing as far as was allowed in the crowded office. \'There has to be another answer. Can\'t let the bastard win. Not like this.\' He suddenly froze in mid stride, turning around to face Albus.

\"Can the body be moved so she\'s no longer trapped in the room?\"

\"No. I\'m afraid not. Any attempt to do so would bring about the collapse of the core itself.\"

\"So he wins after all,\" Snape whispered as he sank back into the chair.

\"Since she now has family and friends who will visit her fairly frequently, it may be enough.\"

\"Her life was stolen by a bastard, Albus. He was nothing more than a spoiled pureblood who regarded Muggles as playthings to twist as he desired. If he had managed to make her love him, how long do you think it would have taken him to tire of her? To throw her out the door to fend for herself? The thought that a mere Muggle would stand her ground and refuse to cower before him was the fuel for his continued vendetta against her. Why else would he have bound her that way? Eternal torment or death. I\'m afraid I know which she will choose.\"

Severus rose and made his way wearily to the floo, taking a handful of powder and whispering, \"As would I.\"

\"She doesn\'t have to know. I could forbid you to tell her.\"

\"I don\'t think I could continue visiting her holding back the truth. She would ferret it out one way or another.\"

\"Perhaps you should wait until you\'ve had a chance to let your emotions settle.\"

\"She\'s waited a thousand years too long already, Albus. I will not let my feelings interfere with what she deserves to know,\" he said, throwing the powder and stating firmly, \"Pensieve Room.\"


\"Severus, back so soon? What\'s wrong?\"

\"I have some answers for you, Angelica.\" Snape sat down and rested his head against the back of the chair. \"He bound you using the magic from the central core of the castle. Albus, as current headmaster, can releahe bhe binding, but you would die. At the very least, I had hoped to be able to move your body into another part of the castle so you would be free of this room, but even that small concession was denied.\"

\"I would be allowed to die?\"

The hope he felt spiraling from her plunged him farther into despair. He would lose her after all.

\"Please, don\'t. I am so tired, Severus. Understanding may be difficult from your point of view, but try. I have lived far beyond my years and am so very weary. Your company and the company of the ot has has been wonderful, but - I long for an end to this unnatural existence. Will you now tell me how long I have been here?\"

\"At least a thousand years.\"

\"A - a thousand years?\"

\"Yes.\"

\"Would you sentence me to another thousand?\"

\"No, how could you think that?\" he asked, head snapping up in anger.

\"You misunderstand. Albus is elderly. Anything could happen. What if a new headmaster decided not to release me? Kept my existence a secret as Salazar did? Until I was forgotten again.\"

\"I see your point, but I would ask a boon of you.\"

\"And what would that be?\"

\"I am planning on asking Hermione to marry me. Would you remain until the wedding if there is one? I had thought we would have a small ceremony down here so you would be able to \'attend\' so to speak. You are the closest living relative I have. Still not sure if I\'m counting Longbottom.\"

\"How soon woul be? be?\"

\"I had planned on asking during the Christmas holidays.\"

\"Which is how long away?\"

\"Three months. I don\'t want to rush her too badly. She only turned nineteen this last September.\"

\"Is that a normal age to marry now?\"

\"There isn\'t a \'normal\' age. It more or less happens when it\'s time, why?\"

\"I was sixteen and almost considered an old maid.\"

\"That\'s preposterous, you were only a child,\" he sputtered.

\"Things and lives were different then. My parents only lived to their middle forties. They were considered fortunate.\"

\"Be that as it may, you haven\'t answered. Will you wait?\"

\"I know three months isn\'t long compared to a thousand years, but to know I could be finally free - tomorrow seems too long. I would like to wait until she gives you an answer. I would like to know, but I don\'t think it would be an auspicious beginning to start your life together under the shadow of my departure. My answer therefore is no. Please, tell Albus I would like to be released as soon as possible.\"

\"What about Hermione and Longbottom? Do you wish to say goodbye to her and to meet him?\"

\"No. It would make it more difficult. Tell Hermione - I wish her well and apologize to Neville for me?\"

\"Reconsider. I don\'t know that I can let you go this soon.\"

\"I really don\'t think waiting would make it any ea, do, do you?\"

He did not answer, me sto stood and walked to the floo. Throwing a handful of powder in, he said, \"Headmaster.\"

Albus\' head appeared. He did not speak, but the questioning look was enough.

\"Please, bring whatever is necessary and join us. It is to be now.\"



Katerina Noontz was preparing Harry for the move to St. Mungo\'s. He was actually in better shape than she had anticipated. Once the crying jag had run its course, he had been fairly coherent. There was still some issues to thr through, but it would be far easier. Minerva and Hermione had spent the better part of the last three hours with him and it had settled him nicely for the trip. They were waiting for the headmaster as Harry refused to leave without seeing him.

\"Here he is,\" Minerva said. \"I told you he was fine.\"

\"Professor Dumbledore, I was so worried I wouldn\'t get to see you again before I left,\" Harry said, attempting to sit up as Albus walked around the screen.

\"Harry, I thought we had agreed on first names. Don\'t get up, I\'m sure you need your rest.\"

\"I just wanted to let you know - how much I appreciate all you\'ve ever done for me. And how much I love you.\"

\"That means a great deal to me, Harry. The important thing right now is for you to recover.\"

Filch had slipped in unnoticed by all except Albus. He was motioning frantically to the headmaster.

\"Excuse me for just a moment, Harry. I will return shortly,\" he said, leading Filch outside the hospital ward. He had a fairly good idea what was upsetting the caretaker and didn\'t care for anyone else to hear.

\"Headmaster, you\'ve got to do something about Professor Snape. He\'s blasting Salazar Slytherin\'s rooms to dust.\"

\"Do not concern yourself, Argus. I am well aware of what is happening. To be frank, I wish I could assist him.\"