Shattered
Chapter 4: Shadow
Shattered
By Adriana
trixielou60@hotmail.com
Potter Universe, I just play in it. The plot is mine.
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Between the desire
And the spasm
Between the potency
And the existence
Between the essence
And the descent
Falls the Shadow
~ From the poem, "The Hollow Men" by T.S. Eliot
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Chapter 4: Shadow
ermiermione slowly made her way to the Potions Lab, her notebook tightly
clutched to her chest. She felt a vague anticipation at seeing Snape, but that
was quickly stuffed down and instead she thought about the events of recent
days. Dumbledore had set up her cover by announcing to the school that she was
to be Madam Pomfrey's replacement and Hermione had tendered her resignation
from St. Aloysius Hospital in London. She had assured the University that she
was going to continue her research at Hogwarts, as it was equipped with a
state-of-the art Potions Lab and the Library would be able to keep her
well-stocked with needed reference books.
The door of the Potions Lab was closed and knowing Snape's obsession with
privacy, she thought it best to knock.
"Enter!" Snape's voice was impatient.
He was seated at his desk, his dark features scrunched into a typical scowl
as he poured over the parchment he was reading.
As he looked up, his face immediately changed and Hermione was surprised at
the look of total relaxation on his face. Really! How did he do that?
"You're staring at me, Dr. Granger. Have I suddenly grown another
nose?"
“No”, thought Hermione. “It's just that I've never noticed that
you're actually not a bad looking man, when you're not scng.
Instead she said, "Mmmp."
"How articulate," Snape said dryly. "Well, don't just stand
there, girl! Let's see what you've written!"
Hermione bristled. "In case you hadn't noticed, I am not a girl
anymore," she huffed.
"So I see. Now that we've established that fact, perhaps we could look
at your notes?"
They sat in silence, while Snape quickly read the first few pages of
parchment.
"Let me see if I have this correct. The Soul Gathering Potion starts by
identifying the emotional body of the soul. It build receptors in the brain for
those emotions identified as Anger, Hatred, Love, Fear, Joy and an illusive
little emotion called, 'Peace'. He chuckled softly. "I wouldn't know
'Peace' if it reached up to bite me on the arse."
For a moment he looked appalled at this personal revelation, but Hermione
said smoothly, "Don't worry about it. We can make you a 'Peace' potion
n thn this is all over. Who knows? Maybe you won't even need it."
"Unlikely. In any event, I see you've worked out the arithmancy on how
to do this first step. Very impressive. Unfortunately, for our purposes, it's
backwards."
Hermione began to talk excitedly. "But you see Professor, in doing the
arithmancy, I've already worked out the magical structure of each emotion. Each
emotion has an essence, a vibration, if you will, which I've identified in the
hopes of designing a potion to build the brain receptors. But we can use that
information to tell us what kind of energy is needed to shatter the magical
properties of those emotions. For instance, there are a series of potion
ingredients that induce the soul to love, be it platonic, romantic, or divine
unconditional love. Each ingredient has a corresponding antidote. Do you
remember how you used to drill us on potion ingredients and their antidotes? I
must have memorized reams of parchment on that subject. I believe we can use
what we know to identify those ingredients that will counteract the magical
energies of Voldemort's emotions, love for instance. This isn't the same thing
as building a potion to induce hate, am I right? I believe we can mix the
ingredients in an unstable base material which will enhance its ability to
shatter those emotions. It's going to take a lot of work because we'll have to
make sure that the antidotes don't produce side-effects when they're
mixed."
"We could probably dispense with the ingredients for love, I doubt that
Voldemort has ever had an inkling of love for anyone or anything."
Hermione was stunned. To her utter astonishment, Snape gave her a crooked
grin.
"Oh! Oh, you're kidding. Of course you are," she murmured.
"It may come as a shock to you, but I am capable of a joke. I just
don't indulge in them very often." Snape continued thoughtfully,
"Actually, we must be sure to include everything. We can't take anything
for granted. If we miss a step or miss an ingredient, the potion will not
work."
They were discussing some of the properties of various well-known potions
when a loud crackle was heard in the fireplace. Hermione and Snape looked up to
see Albus' head floating in the fire. It never failed to frighten Hermione for
just a few seconds, seeing a disembodied head talking to you as if it wasn't as
weird as it really was.
"Good evening, you two!" The Headmaster seemed to be in high
spirits. Snape grunted a greeting at him.
"If I may borrow Dr. Granger, I have need of her in the Hospital Wing.
Don't worry, Hermione. It's not an injured student. It will probably come as no
surprise to you that the number ccidccidents and traumas seemed to decrease
upon the departure of a certain well-known trio. I believe you three hold the
record for the number of visits to the infirmary?"
Hermione smiled. "You're probably right. If it's not an injured
student, then why do you need me, if I may ask?"
"Ah, well. I neglected to tell you that before Madam Pomfrey died,
she'd secured the services of an apprentice mediwitch by the name of Taryn
Butler. Miss Butler is presently waiting for you in the infirmary. I thought it
best to keep her as an assistant as you will no doubt be very busy with your
research here in the Potions Lab."
"Tell Miss Butler that I will be up shortly."
When Albus disappeared, Hermione turned to Snape. "We can continue this
tomorrow. For now, I think it's best if you read my materials. You've a lot of
catching up to do."
Snape already had his nose buried in her parchments. He gave her a
distracted nod.
As Hermione left the Lab, she felt a cold shadow of apprehension clutching
at her heart. “No, this will work,” she said to herself.
It had to.
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Hermione made her way to the infirmary and was greeted by the Headmaster and
a very pretty Taryn Butler. Miss Butler was tall, blond and had twinkling blue
eyes the colour of the morning sky. Hermione immediately felt dowdy next to
her.
"Dr. Granger, this is Taryn Butler, your new assistant. Miss Bulter
studied at St. Aloysius Hospital. I'm surprised you didn't run into each
other."
"Well," said Taryn, "I saw Dr. Granger around, but she was
way out of my league. I'm just a simple mediwitch, but Dr. Granger belongs t the
Order of Chiron. I wish I had the brains to get accepted at such an exclusive
program." She turned to Hermione. "I heard that you finished your
mediwitch instructions after just eight months. You must be brilliant."
Hermione blushed. "Not really," she said modestly. "I'm just
an obsessive student. I don't think it's healthy, really."
Taryn smiled. "Brilliant and humble!" She added, "I hope my
work will please you, Dr. Granger. I expect I'm going to learn a lot."
Hermione felt immediately at ease. Albus gave them his leave and Hermione
suggested a tour of the infirmary. As they were walking around, Taryn told her
that she'd gone to Hogwarts, but that she'd been several years behind Hermione.
She was a Ravenclaw.
"I thought you looked a little familiar," said Hermione. "I
guess we didn't have occasion to run into each other at school."
Taryn laughed. "No, you were too busy with Harry Potter, fighting the
forces of evil. I guess you could say that I ran with a different crowd. By the
way, is Snape still here at Hogwarts?"
"Oh yes," Hermione sighed. "I hope that won't be a problem
for you. You'll probably run into him sometimes because he supplies some of the
more complex potions for the infirmary. I know he can be an unpleasant git
sometimes."
"Oh, it's quite alright," countered Taryn. "Actually that's
another thing I was looking forward to. I always thought he was rather dishy,
didn't you?
Hermione stared at her in disbelief. "Are we talking about the same
man?"
Taryn laughed again. "Oh come on, Dr. Granger! All that dark mystery? I
always thought he was gorgeous, especially when he was demonstrating the
preparation of his potions. I'd love to be the object of all that concentrated
energy."
"If you say so, Miss Butler. That reminds me . wh. why don't you call
me Hermione?"
"Alright, Hermione. Please call me Taryn."
Hermione steered her towards the storeroom. "I have lots of things to
show you in here, Taryn."
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Draco Malfoy was relaxing in the vast gardens of his father's estate,
swirling a snifter of brandy. His thoughts drifted back to the first time his
father had taken him to one of his infamous "shake-downs". Draco had
been eight years old when he watched Lucius beat the shit out of a wizard who
didn't have enough money to pay off a large gambling debt. His father loved to
gamble on Quidditch, which was rife was corruption, but such
"shake-downs" had been small potatoes compared to what he got in
shady business deals and outright thievery. It hadn't bothered Draco much until
he had seen those shake-down skills applied to his mother. She hadn't gotten
out of bed for weeks. That had been the beginning of the end for Draco,
although he still loved the power that being on the Dark Side gave him. He wondered
if he would ever be completely free of it. One thing was for certain, Draco
needed to look out for number one and he had every intention of doing that.
He felt a wave of nausea as his Dark Mark began to burn. Crap! Not now!
Draco found himself prostrate before Voldemort before he could even blink.
Confused, he looked around, his spy instincts telling him to gather as much
information as he could as to his whereabouts.
"Draco, my boy," said a high-pitched voice.
"My Lord." He bent to kiss Voldemort's ring, trying not to gag.
"Do you find me unpleasant, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes I do, but you're the most powerful wizard on Earth and I admire
that. It sort of cancels out your unpleasantness."
For a moment, Voldemort's eyes narrowed. "I've gone too far,"
Draco thought in fear.
>As >As if sensing his discomfort, Voldemort let out a booming laugh.
"You're honesty is refreshing, Mr. Malfoy. I hope for your sake that
you're always as honest with me."
Draco let out a relieved breath. "Certainly my Lord. How may I serve
you?"
"What news do you have of Dr. Granger? My Watchers tell me that you've
been seen with her at Hogwarts and out in public, as well. How goes
things?"
"Well if your Watchers were thorough, they'd also be telling you that
Dr. Granger can't keep her hands off me. It seems that she's all tied up in
lustful knots."
The Dark Lord looked pleased. "I take it she believes that you fancy
her?"
Draco inwardly shuddered at the Dark Lord's use of the word, 'fancy'.
"I've completely swept her off her feet. In fact, we've made plans."
"Plans?"
"I'm taking her on holiday to Paris. Dr. Granger and I will spend the
whole weekend in bed, if I have anything to say about it."
"And she's agreed?"
"Oh yes," Draco lied. "Why wouldn't she?"
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Hermione was contemplating Taryn's assessment of Snape's charms when Albus
intercepted her in the hallway. "Something has come up suddenly, and it
seems that our plans are going to change. Please meet me in my office."
Hermione was struggling with the Headmaster's latest password when she heard
a sardonic voice behind her say, "Caramel Apples." Snape rolled his
eyes in exasperation. "This obsession with sweets is going to be the ruin
of him. It's a wonder his teeth haven't all rotted out."
Albus gave them a warm greeting and when they were seated he said, "A
copy of the Soul Gathering Spell has been found."
Snape started. "Where?" he croaked.
"Belize."
"Did you just say Belize? As in Central America?" Hermione
couldn't believe she'd heard him right.
"The very one. It's located on the Yucatan Peninsula, just south of the
southern tip of Mexico. It seems that a copy of the spell is guarded at the
ruins outside of Settee Point. I have contacted the tribe's healer, a man by
the name of Cristobel. He's expecting you both."
"But I don't understand," said Hermione. "There are no known
copies of the spell. All that has been written has been that which was passed
on in the oral tradition. In fact, I've only been able to gather bits and pieces."
"Ah, well. I did a little digging on my own. It helps to know obscure
people in obscure places. Your comment about the spell being used by natives in
the Americas got me to thinking about my old friend, Cristobel. He couldn't
believe I was making an inquiry about The Soul Gathering Spell. It hasn't been
used in centuries. It was too unpredictable and often resulted in the death of
the person they were trying to help."
"I suspect it's because they didn't use the corresponding potion,"
said Hermione.
"If I may interrupt, Headmaster, but perhaps you've forgotten. I can't
leave Hogwarts as I am the subject of intense interest by Voldemort and I doubt
if my absence here would go unnoticed." Snape's voice was carefully
neutral.
Albus allowed himself an annoying twinkle of the eyes. "I've taken care
of everything. Actually, I've had some help in the planning."
"By whom?" Hermione was still reluctant to accept this.
"By me."
Oh, Hermione knew that voice anywhere. "Can't I get away from you for
one day, Malfoy?"
Draco entered the room with an air of triumph.
"Actually, you're in luck. You're going to be away from me for several
days, however, only the four of us in this room will know about it. Actually,
there is one other person who will know-- a hand-picked Auror, who is going to
wear a particularly clever glamour. Nobody will know it's not actually you,
Hermione. And then she and I are going to take a whirlwind holiday to Paris.
It's a pity that you won't be joining me, Paris is the City of Romance, you know.
I do hope she's nicer to me than you are. Maybe she'll even put out for me and
I can pretend it's you."
"Blegh," was Hermione's response to Draco's crudeness.
"You're taking my double to Paris?"
Draco gave her an evil leer.
"As amusing as this all is, how are you going to explain my
absence?" Snape sounded doubtful.
"You will be confining yourself to your quarters over the
weekend," said Albus. "For those who inquire, I will tell them that
you are indisposed. No offense Severus, but most of the students and staff know
that you're predisposed to periods of deep melancholy. It won't surprise
anybody that you want to be alone. The only creatures who would be attending to
you would be the House Elves and they're loyal to a fault. They won't tell a soul
that you're not actually in your rooms."
"You've thought of everything, haven't you, Headmaster?" Snape
said dryly. He turned his attention to Hermione. "Well Dr. Granger, it
appears that we are going to Belize. Don't forget your sunscreen potion, I hear
that the UV rays can be merciless there."
Hermione sat in her chair, pressing her hands to her face. Her mind was
racing.
Two days in Belize. Two days alone with Severus Snape.
TBC
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Author’s Note: To those who have
inquired: No, I’m not changing the plot
of the story, just a few minor details and descriptions.
and grammar mistakes . . .
Please continue to review, I love hearing from you!