A Song for Severus ~ (Not Update, but Edit)

Chapter 55 ~ Preparing the Way

Severus returned to Hogwarts and retired, feeling exhausted. The next morning after breakfast he reported to Albus, who was glad to find out that Draco was also at the competition. Then he looked a bit concerned about Bella asking the wizard to come to her stronghold and treat Voltaire.

“Did she ask about Volaria?” the Headmaster asked him.

“No, she did not…most likely because she was so enraged about the contest,” the Potions Master said, “No doubt she will be full of questions and suspicious of me when I meet with her. Volaria witnessed me giving Voltaire the elixir and Bella will wonder why I haven’t been arrested if Volaria told everything.”

“She might be meeting with you with the intent of killing you, Severus,” Albus said, his blue eyes dark.

“No. I believe she will listen to me first. I have an answer for her explaining why I haven’t been discovered,” Severus said, “I plan to tell Bella that when I found Volaria in my rooms I immediately reported her presence to you, which is protocol when a female student is found alone in a male teacher’s private rooms. This I did for my own protection.”

Albus nodded, listening carefully.

I will then say while I was waiting for you, Volaria mentioned Bella’s name, saying she would be furious. I immediately realized the witch was from her stronghold and obliviated all memory of myself from the girl’s mind before you arrived,” the Potions Master continued.

“Ah yes. You would have time to do more than that,” the old wizard said with a smile.

“Precisely. It would make sense I would look out for my own interests first. She will believe me, though she will be angry Volaria has told about her brother,” Severus said, “I will tell her that the girl’s tale is being looked at skeptically and that you have not turned her over to the Ministry, thinking she requires help and not interrogation. Volaria claiming to be Voldemort’s daughter is almost the same as her claiming to be Queen Elizabeth after all. Your history of being a soft touch will come in handy, Headmaster.”

Albus’ eyes twinkled merrily at Severus’ assessment of him.

“Still Voltaire is well protected and safe from discovery. As long as she believes that she still has the upper hand, Bella will continue her plans,” Severus finished.

“Still Severus, I want you to exercise extreme caution. There’s no telling how much the boy has changed since you last saw him,” the Headmaster said warningly.

“No doubt Bella has filled his head with thoughts of even greater grandeur,” Severus said, his eyes glinting, “Perhaps she’s made him overconfident concerning his powers. This could be a good thing. I will show him proper deference…for now. Though I still believe, Albus…”

The Headmaster waved a hand at the wizard, stopping him from finishing his sentence.

“I know you believe the boy should be killed Severus. I am taking it under ‘advisement.’ But if I can save him, I will do my best to do so. There’s a very hard-working young witch working towards that end as well,” Albus said as Severus rolled his eyes.

It was a wonder Hogwarts remained standing as long as it had with Albus inviting destruction within its walls at every turn. But then again, it had remained standing. Severus wasn’t sure if it was the old wizard’s wisdom or just plain dumb luck. Personally, Severus didn’t believe in leaving things to chance.

Which was why he agreed to help Volaria.

The wizard bid goodbye to the Headmaster and took the floo to his private rooms, where he found a very worried Hermione waiting for him in the armchair facing the floo. She hadn’t even gone down to her labs this morning.

“Don’t tell me I’ve been elevated above those abominations in your labs in importance,” the Potions Master purred at the witch as he brushed off his robes.

“You could’ve told me you had to go on a mission earlier than half an hour before you actually left,” Hermione griped at him, “I worried about you all night.”

The witch rose, walked over to him and stood on her tiptoes as Severus obligingly lowered his cheek so she could kiss it.

”If I had told you earlier, then you would have worried about me all day and all night,” he replied evenly, “I saved you valuable worry time.”

”Well, what happened?” Hermione asked him.

“Thirteen Death Eaters died,” Severus replied, “In very nasty ways. I’m sure you don’t want the details.”

Hermione fought the morbid curiosity welling up inside her.

“Just tell me about one death,” she said to him sitting back down in the chair.

Severus eyed her for a moment.

“Fenrir Greyback bit a witch’s face off and spit it out,” he said, arching an eyebrow at her.

“Oh my gods! How awful! Fenrir should have never been pitted against a witch,” Hermione gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.

“That witch damn near killed him,” Severus replied, “She had a speed spell and was casting liquid silver on him. If she had been more careful she could have defeated him…but the speed spell made her run right into the werewolf.”

Hermione shuddered again, then asked if Bella were present.

“Yes, she was. I’m to meet her Sunday evening and attend to Voltaire with another dosing of elixir,” the wizard said.

Hermione looked at him wide-eyed.

“Did she say anything about Volaria?” she asked the wizard, a knot in her stomach as she tried not to voice her dismay about Severus meeting with the insane witch again.

“No, but I expect she will ask about the witch when she sees me next,” the Potions Master replied, walking over to his desk, opening the drawer and taking out some parchments. He set them on top of the desk as Hermione watched him. How could he be so cool with what he was going to face.

“Suppose she accuses you of purposely taking her?” Hermione asked him, her own imagination of the terrible things that could happen taking over.

“That is highly unlikely since I had no idea the girl even existed,” he replied, narrowing his eyes at Hermione, “Don’t go creating scenarios that don’t exist Hermione or you’ll be beside yourself with worry before I leave tomorrow evening. Don’t make me regret telling you beforehand.”

Hermione fell silent and the Potions Master walked back over to her, catching her by the hand and drawing her out of the chair.

“Listen, you have less than a month to get your anti-elixir completed. Bella and Voltaire will most likely strike on the day of the final competition. The boy will be taken one way or another,” Severus said, his dark eyes appearing even darker, “If he is taken alive and you wish to save him, witch, you have to complete your research. You already know how I feel.”

“Yes, I do,” Hermione said, drawing her hand out of the Potion Master grip while frowning slightly, “And surprisingly you aren’t alone. Volaria agrees with you, though she hasn’t said Voltaire should be killed. She really doesn’t believe he should be given any kind of chance. I think that is rather unfair of her, considering we’ve given her a chance. Otherwise she’s a sweet witch.”

“It could be she is a smart witch,” Severus replied, shocking the shit out of Hermione.

“What? Are you giving Volaria a compliment, Severus? After the way you’ve treated her?” Hermione asked incredulously.

“No. I am merely making an observation, Hermione. Volaria has been raised with her brother and knows his ways. She shouldn’t be ignored concerning her assessment of what he is capable of,” the wizard said.

“She’s a child. She doesn’t have the experience to make that kind of assessment. Her development has been stunted as well. Bella’s unforgiving nature could have rubbed off on her. She believes Voltaire wants to kill her,” Hermione said, “We don’t even know if that’s true, to be honest.”

Now it was Severus’ turn to look surprised.

“Do you doubt the witch’s truthfulness, Hermione?” he asked her, “You led me to believe that you trusted the witch’s word.”

Hermione looked distinctly uncomfortable. The truth of the matter was she was turning on Volaria slightly in order to press her point that Voltaire should be treated and given a chance to change his ways. It was dirty Quidditch to be sure.

Of course, Severus knew exactly what she was doing. It was quite Slytherin if less than honest. He looked at the witch consideringly.

“I’m simply saying her view of the situation can be warped because of her background,” Hermione said lamely, “I’m sure she believes what she’s saying. I’m just not sure it is correct.”

Severus arched an eyebrow at her, but said nothing. Hermione continued to look uncomfortable. Finally she said, “I need to get down to the lab, Severus.”

The wizard simply nodded and watched as Hermione left without so much as a kiss, her face slightly pinched as she exited his study.

“Guilt. Gryffindors are ill-prepared to deal with it,” he said to himself, walking over to his desk, sitting down and drawing the parchments resting there towards him. He was working on the end of year Potions exam for Bartholomew’s students.

It wasn’t going to be easy.

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In Hermione’s bedroom, Volaria spun slowly looking at her Ravenclaw robes. She was very excited. She would be moving into Ravenclaw house Sunday evening and starting classes on Monday. She would be around normal wizards and witches her own age and quite possibly make some friends.

She would be supremely happy if not for one problem, Voltaire. But Professor Snape had agreed to help her learn the spell she needed. Perhaps she wouldn’t have to use it, but deep down Volaria knew most likely she would. And when she did, her beautiful wand would be snapped.

Mr. Ollivander said that he believed she was going to do great things. Perhaps, perhaps this was the great thing she had to do…protect the wizarding world from another wizard like her father.

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Eloise finished pitching hay over the fence for the livestock, leaning on the pitchfork and wiping her brow. Rubin appeared with a large cold glass of pumpkin juice and offered it to the muggle.

Eloise took it and thanked him. She took a sip and made a horrible face.

“What is this?” she asked, looking at the pale orange liquid.

“Why, that’s pumpkin juice. Homemade,” Rubin said, surprised she didn’t like it.

“Ewwww,” Eloise said, handing the glass back to Rubin, “No offense, Rubin but I like pumpkin as pudding and pie, not something to drink.

She shuddered a little. Rubin looked at her closely and noticed her eyebrows were thick, furry and growing together and a little mustache was growing over her lip. Her ankles were pretty hairy too. She was a bit ripe as well, but he knew that was normal for a werewolf. But all the hair…

He began to think of what the woman would need to keep herself up. Firstly, a mirror. He had no doubt she had no idea what she looked like.

“Ah, you know Eloise, I’ve just realized you have different needs than my boy and Lupin,” the farmer said, “I’m going to get you some magical razors…and I guess you need some…some feminine products too.”

Rubin reddened slightly. He was going to have to get her some pads for her period.

Suddenly, at the mention of razors, Eloise felt itchy all over as if just made aware of all the hair she was sprouting. She ran her hand over her face and felt her eyebrows.

“Oh, I look awful, don’t I Rubin?” she said to the farmer despairingly.

“No, not awful. Just hairy,” he replied. “I’ve got a mirror in the house and some razors. Go on over to the barn and I’ll bring them out for you, set them up. I’ll bring you some cold water too.”

Eloise thanked Rubin, rested the pitchfork against the fence and walked over to the barn where her enclosure was. She had just walked through the door when she heard the crack of apparition. She looked back out and saw Remus with a few bags in his hands, walking toward her. She quickly ran back inside.

“I look awful,” she said as she entered the caged area. Rubin had fixed it up nicely for her. She had a full-sized bed, a rug, a night stand, an armchair and small table with two chairs. He had also sprung for a magical chamber pot that emptied immediately on use, the contents sent to a field he wanted fertilized. There was also a bucket that remained full of warm water to wash with.

Remus knocked on the door.

“May I come in, Eloise?” he asked politely.

The muggle sat down at the table

“Yes, but don’t look at me,” she said, turning her face to the wall.

Remus’ eyebrows rose at this comment, but he didn’t say anything as he entered the cage and set the bags on the table.

“I…I brought you some clothes and robes,” he said to the muggle, “Just some things so you will fit in. I had to guess your size.”

Eloise kept her face turned from him.

“Thank you,” she said.

“I…I…also brought you some personal things. Scented soap, toothpowder and a toothbrush, a comb, brush, hair ties and some…er…some feminine things. Pads,” he said softly.

Buying these items for Eloise had almost cleaned Remus out. He didn’t have much money, but she needed things to make her life easier, and he wanted to show her he cared about her situation.

“May I sit down?” he asked her.

”Yes, but don’t…” Eloise began.

“Yes, I know…don’t look at you,” he finished for her, “But do you mind if I ask you why you don’t want me to look at you?”

”I’m all covered with hair,” she said, her lip trembling.

Remus smirked.

“Yes. Females seem to have worse hair growth than male werewolves,” Remus said soothingly, “But I don’t mind hair on a woman. I find it…rather nice.”

Eloise snorted.

“Well I don’t,” she snapped.

Deciding this was sensitive ground, Remus changed the subject and told Eloise what Albus had said, and how he would help if the Ministry tried to sterilize her.

Rubin entered the barn, greeting Remus and walked into the cage, placing a glass of cold water in front of Eloise, then hanging up a small mirror on the wall magically with his wand.

“No silver in that mirror,” he said to Eloise, then he placed several razors on the table.

“Whatever you shave with these won’t grow back for a week. It’s the best I can do for now,” he said to the upset woman. He eyed the bags on the table.

“What you got there, Remus?” he asked.

Remus told him.

“Must have cost you a pretty galleon,” the farmer said, eyeing Remus speculatively.

Werewolves gave gifts to bitches they were attracted to. The farmer had no doubt this was what was happening with Remus. Well, he was a nice young wizard. He deserved a bit of happiness.

”Eloise needs these things,” Remus said.

“I’ll pay you back as soon as I get a job,” Eloise said suddenly.

“No problem,” Remus said. He didn’t want her to pay him back but it was easy to see Eloise was the independent type. He might insult her if he refused to accept payment. You had to be careful with alpha females, transformed or not.

“Tomorrow, I want to take you to the Ministry and register you,” Remus said to Eloise, “Then if you like, we can visit the werewolf village. As a registered werewolf, you can settle there if you like.”

”I don’t want to live around a bunch of werewolves. You don’t do you?” Eloise asked him.

“No, I don’t,” Remus admitted.

“Besides, doesn’t Fenrir live there?” the muggle asked.

“Not really. He is wanted for his crimes so lays low for the most part, hiding in uninhabited areas. He does pop up now and then,” Remus replied, scowling slightly.

“That he does. I’m going to alter the charms on this barn to lock you in each night, Eloise, for your own protection. You’ll be able to open the door to the cage on the nights you aren’t transformed if you like, but no one else will. More than likely Fenrir will be back for you. Just let him know you are registered now,” Rubin said.

“Will he leave me alone then?” Eloise asked.

Remus and Rubin looked at each other.

“I…I…can’t say he will, Eloise. If you aren’t sterilized, he’ll know you can bear offspring. That makes you valuable to him. He might keep coming around…but the good part is Fenrir only comes out under the cover of night. During the day you will be safe,” Remus said.

“I want him to keep coming around, at least until I can figure out a way to kill him,” she seethed hatefully.

Remus and Rubin looked at each other again.

“Fenrir is very powerful, Eloise. He won’t be easy to kill,” Rubin said, frowning slightly at the muggle.

“Maybe if only one werewolf attacks him, but how about two?” she asked, looking directly at Remus, her anger overriding the way she looked.

Remus’ heart began to pound as he met her gaze. Although he was in human form, he could feel the dominance in Eloise, and the desire to please her.

“Maybe two could do it, if they had a little help,” Rubin mused.

The farmer owed Fenrir big for turning his son all those years ago, a turning which eventually resulted in the troubled youth’s death.

“Let me think on it a bit,” the wizard said, exiting the barn and leaving Remus and Eloise alone with each other. Eloise looked down at the razors then picked one up, walking over to the mirror.

“Do I need to use lather with this?” she called back to Remus.

“No. It will only cut hair,” the werewolf replied, watching as Eloise went to work on her hairy eyebrows. It was surprisingly easy. It was as if she couldn’t make a mistake. The razor was well charmed. She removed the mustache and the hair on her chin, running her hand over her smooth face. She’d have to wait until later to do her legs because of Remus’ presence.

“Now I feel human again,” she said, returning to the table and smiling at Remus, who gave her a small smile back. Eloise was a pretty muggle.

“Werewolf,” Remus mentally corrected himself, then cleared his throat nervously.

Eloise looked at him curiously, noticing he had turned rather red.

“What’s wrong, Remus?” she asked him.

“I…er…I need to talk to you about something rather…personal, Eloise. I don’t quite know how to do it,” he said, swallowing.

“Just spit it out, Remus. I can take it,” she responded, her eyes darkening a bit. Eloise wasn’t very patient.

“It’s about your menstrual cycle,” the wizard said quickly, “If it ends just before the full moon rises, you will go into heat.”

Eloise raised both of her eyebrows.

“Heat? Humans don’t go into heat, Remus. We’re pretty much ready to fuck all the time,” she replied.

Remus was a little shocked at her language, and slightly aroused. Eloise didn’t mince words did she?

“But werewolves go into heat, Eloise. It’s a natural response. You’re…you’re going to want to mate very badly. It’s not something that can be controlled. You’ll seek out a mate if one isn’t available,” Remus said softly.

Eloise stared at him.

“It will affect your human form as well…it is a very powerful instinct. You are going to have to be locked up if that happens. If any werewolves get a whiff of you, the farm will be covered in them,” Remus said. “There will be fights as well.”

”Damn,” Eloise said, “Isn’t there any way to stop it?”

”Getting sterilized,” he replied.

Eloise shook her head.

“That’s not an option. No one is going to tell me what to do with my body,” Eloise declared, slapping her hand on the table for emphasis.

Remus stared at her for a moment, lost in a little fantasy about being the only werewolf in the vicinity when she went into heat.

“Remus?” Eloise called, and the wizard started guiltily, his eyes not meeting hers.

“Sorry, I drifted off,” he said.

“I see that,” Eloise said, looking at him speculatively. He had been licking his lips quite sexily. Remus wasn’t a bad looking bloke. He was nice too. Not pushy or overbearing at all.

“I’d better be going, Eloise,” Remus said, rising and hoping his slight erection wouldn’t be visible under his robes. Eloise didn’t seem to notice. “I will pick you up tomorrow at ten to take you to the Ministry. Now, we might not be treated that well…it is important you keep your temper at all times. We just have to register and go. All right?”

Eloise bristled. What did Remus mean they wouldn’t be treated well?

Remus felt her increased heartbeat and pulse of anger. Well, if he had to, he’d place a calming spell on her before they went in.

“All right,” Eloise replied, though it wasn’t all right at all.

“Until tomorrow then, Eloise,” Remus said, giving the muggle a little bow and exiting the barn. The sound of apparition followed him.

“Not treated well, eh? We’ll just see about that,” Eloise snorted, rummaging through the bags Remus brought.

She had no intentions on being treated like a second-class citizen.

None of this was her fault.

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A/N: Thanks for reading ***