The Writer\'s Companion

Author’s Notes:

* Okay so here is the sixth chapter and we finally get to see a little Snape/Maddie interaction. And judging by the chapter title I think you can foresee just how things are going to go. The title by the way was inspired/taken from the movie “300”…so don’t sue me for that either.

*Also I always like to know how I am doing and even get some suggestions. So please review, please. Don’t make me cry, it isn’t pretty.

*Finally I have been told that having a beta is really good thing. So I won’t beg, but if anyone is interested in betaing my little tale I would be extremely thankful.

Response to Reviews:

Tricky Woo: I am glad that you liked the last chapter. I really paced myself with it and tried to spend more time fixing it. But it is so hard to get all the little mistakes because I wrote it, so I miss the little things or even some big things.

You know I may have very well come across the motto in some WW2 of my father’s. He was always extremely interested in the history of the war. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

Wolfsoul: It is great to see you here, and I am glad that you like the story so far. Props to you on your superb tale, “Hidden Friends”. I recommend it for all of you to read.


Chapter 6: No Prisoners, No Mercy


The three wizards waited silently. Two of them seemed concerned, the third appeared to be extremely annoyed, but they were all tired.

The spell was complex by nature, but for some reason dredging up Madelyn’s soul had been more difficult than usual. It was as if the very core of her was weighted down allowing almost nothing in or out. And in the end, a spell that should have taken a matter of seconds was drawn out to several minutes. Thankfully the girl had fainted early on, lessening some of the resistance they encountered. Who could tell how long it would have taken had she remained conscious.

Still the success had ended up outweighing the trouble, for it appeared that Madelyn Lindsey did, indeed have magic. Not a great amount. Certainly no more than an average three year-old contains, but just enough to classify her as a witch. That left them all with only one question. Why hadn’t she or anyone else, known?

It was a question that sat heavily on Albus’ mind. Maddie should have demonstrated some capabilities during her life. At the very least some wizarding school should have noticed her. That isn’t to say that every witch or wizard actually goes to school. Only about 73 percent of children actually attend, but 100 percent of children got their letters. It was seen as a right of passage, a proof of one’s powers. Apparently Maddie hadn’t gotten a letter; otherwise she would have been aware of the presence of magic folk. Or perhaps she had, and the letter had been intercepted. Either way it was a most peculiar mystery.

Albus’ thoughts continued on in this vain until he heard the door to his office open. He watched as Minerva swiftly entered his study and re-seated herself taking up a cup of tea. The question must have been visible in his eyes for Minerva was quick to assure him.

“She’s fine Albus,” Minerva paused to sip her tea, cringing at its cold temperature. “She’s resting comfortably in bed now with Madame Pomfrey close at hand.”

“And there were no injuries? No lasting effects?”

“No, Poppy believes that she will be right as rain come morning.”

Well at least she was well; it was something Albus could cease worrying about. “Does she have any recollection of what happened?”

Minerva seemed to consider the question before answering.

“She is certainly well aware of the events prior to her faint, but beyond that she remembers nothing. Although I didn’t really question her, tired as she was.”

“I know how she feels,” Remus said finally breaking his silence. “But I have to admit to being a bit concerned about what we saw here today.”

“Me, too Albus,” Minerva nodded her agreement. “What does this mean? To have magic and yet never use it, to never even have one odd occurrence that would make her wonder…”

“Perhaps she has had such an occurrence McGonagall and she just hasn’t informed any of us.” Severus replied cynically. “Or it may simply be that she doesn’t have enough power to make anything happen at all. She is most likely little more than a squib.”

“I don’t believe she is, Severus,” Albus drew a deep breathe, removing his glasses to rub his eyes. “Those beings that are unfortunate enough to be born without magical ability lack the fundamental magic contained by any witch or wizard. No, Madelyn is another case entirely.”

“But, Albus,” Minerva questioned lightly. “If she is not a squib, then what is she?”

“I don’t know, Minerva. I can’t answer that just yet.”

“What do we do with her in the meantime?”

Albus smiled crookedly at Remus’ question. “I don’t suppose you would be interested in watching over her?”

“I…uh…I don’t think that would be the best idea.” Remus responded hesitantly. “She told me just this morning how much she despises me.”

“Yes, so you told me. I guess that leaves us with only one option.” Albus turned his twinkling eyes to the glaring black gaze of the potions master.

“No Ablus, I most certainly will not involve myself any further.” Albus could all but see Severs’ rage building. “If the chit needs a babysitter than give her to Minerva or Poppy.”

“I could very well do that Severus, but then again I won’t.” Albus chuckled at the look of sheer disbelief that flashed across the potion master’s face before being quickly concealed.

“Why on Earth wouldn’t you?”

“Because Severus, I trust you to do this.”

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Severus Snape was once again alone with the woman, her sooty lashes closed against the light of the sinking evening sun. She looked so relaxed, so at peace, and some part of him was envious of her rest. He too was tired. Tired of the years spent fighting, tired of the mysteries that constantly interrupted his life.

The war had been fought and won, Lord Voldemort was no more, and surprisingly Snape had survived. So had the Potter boy, having returned now for his final year at Hogwarts. It seemed that even now he couldn’t escape the boy who still held him somewhat responsible for what happened to his parents. Not even these hallowed halls could offer him the peace he inwardly sought. But that didn’t mean Severus was completely helpless when it came to his fate.

He may not be able to avoid Harry “the savior of us all” Potter, but he could end this Madelyn Lindsey fiasco quickly. Snape knew one thing to be true, and that was that this woman who lay before him knew something. She had to have some sort of memory, buried or otherwise, that would explain the spells anomalous results. And if there was one thing Severus could do it was uncover the misplaced thoughts of others.

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Wakefulness was slow in coming. Maddie felt as if she had to pull her consciousness from the darkest depths of the deepest lake. Maddie couldn’t place the feelings she was having, she wasn’t entirely sure they weren’t just part of a dream; but she knew something was different…inside of her. As if some kind of creature had lived, slumbered within her body, and was now awake and doing its best to break free of its fleshy bonds.

Maddie’s eyes flashed open, a groan of discomfort dying in her throat, a pair of obsidian eyes were staring down at her. Her immediate reaction was a feeling a fright, a sudden disorientation, and then she felt nothing…and everything at all.

She was back in her room, at her childhood house in Denver, Colorado, watching an adolescent version of herself staring at the floor, all of her dolls lined up in a row, each with their heads removed. She tore from her room and headed straight for her sister’s. This wasn’t the first time the little brat had ruined some of her keepsakes. Oh her little sister was going to get it now.

Maddie burst into the disgustingly pink room just in time to see Evie cut the rest of the hair from the last doll head. All of them bits of newly shorn plastic lying in a pile at her feet.

“Why did you do that Evie? They’re my dolls!” Maddie asked with a mixture of hurt and anger.

“Cause I want to! You’re weird, you make mommy cry!” The young toe-head screamed. “Mommy says there’s something wrong with you. Mommy says that you’re not right in the head.”

“No!” Maddie screamed pulling herself from the memory and back into her room. Panting as if she had just run a marathon she turned to find Severus Snape attempting to pull himself up off the floor.

“What in good God’s name was that?” Maddie asked angrily.

“That is what I would like to know,” Severus hissed striding over to the bed and grabbing her arm. “How were you able to stop me? Who taught you how to do Occlumency?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, let me go!”

“Don’t lie to me girl!” Severus yelled into her face, shaking her for emphasis.

Maddie was terrified. She had no clue as to what had just happened or what she had done to anger the man before her. But she did know that he was mad, extremely mad, and he was dangerous. She had to get away, she had to stop him, and she had to fight. So she did the only thing she knew how to do. She threw the first punch.

The hit landed squarely on his jaw, and the pain radiating from her own hand assured her that it had been a decent knock. But it didn’t seem to faze Snape, if anything it made him angrier, and before she could let loose for the second time she was hauled up and out of bed.

“You’re coming with me,” Snape growled at her. “You’ve got some things to explain.”


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“She pushed me out Albus!” Severus repeated for what he felt was the hundredth time. “There is no way that she could have done that without some sort of training.”

“And I am telling you that I have no idea what you are talking about!” The shrew screamed rising from her chair. “You are the one that did something to me! I was just defending myself.”

Severus sneered at her, allowing all the hatred he felt inside him to cross his face. This little chit was lying; there was no way that an untrained person could so quickly shut out an expert Legilimens, let alone with such force.

“Albus you know, as I know, that it takes years of instruction and practice to create an impenetrable wall. She has that wall, and she has the power not only to erect it quickly, but to physically knock me away.”

“It didn’t take any training to slam you’re puny ass around!” The woman paused to snort, her eyes traveling the length of him and stopping on his face. “Why, is that a bruise I see there?”

“Why you insolent, little…”

“QUIET!” Severus slammed his jaw shut and directed his attention to the Headmaster. “Sit down, the both of you.”

Severus reluctantly did as directed, sitting on the other end of the couch, as far from the damnable creature as possible.

“Now,” Albus started. “I would like to know what happened from the beginning. Severus, if you would.”

“Certainly Headmaster, I went to Miss Lindsey’s room to look in on her. I had some questions I wanted answered. However, upon my arrival I found her to be sleeping. So I waited, and when I saw her open her eyes I preformed Legilimens.”

“Yeah and he sent me into this weird ass psycho spin.” The cantankerous woman interrupted. “I saw things I don’t even think ever happened!”

“As I was saying,” Severus drawled out, his eyes directed at Madelyn. “I was viewing a MEMORY, which I assure did happen to you at one point. It was then Miss Lindsey pushed me out of her mind quite forcefully.”

Severus stopped, after all the rest didn’t matter. Of course the chit had struck him, but that was something he would handle on his own. And his retaliation would be terrible.

Albus nodded his head thoughtfully and then directed Maddie to begin.

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“What do you want me to say Mr. Dumbledore…”

“Professor.”

Maddie turned toward Snape and glowered at him.

“Albus will do, dear, just continue.” Redirecting her attention to the headmaster Maddie smiled warmly.

“Well, Albus, I was sleeping when Captain Creepy woke me up. But it was as if I went from one dream to another, and I found myself staring at…myself. A much younger version, but it was absolutely eerie.”

“It often is Madelyn.” Albus nodded understandingly. “Legilimens can be quite uncomfortable for caster and castee alike. But please, continue.”

“Look I don’t really know what happened next or just how I did it. I just wanted the…the vision to stop, and then it did.” In Maddie’s mind it made perfect sense. Snarky Snape was snooping around where he shouldn’t have, so Maddie put a stop to it.

“That is hardly how I would put it,” Severus began in an accusing tone. “You obviously have some training with Occlumency. If it were my call I would dose…”

“Wait just a second you great, slimy prick! You have had your say and now it’s my turn. So if you don’t want an eye to match your jaw you’ll shut your face!”

Maddie felt smug, she had told the haughty bastard where he could stick it. And it had felt soooo good, but it was a feeling short lived. For in a matter of seconds Maddie could see nothing but pale skin and ebony…everything else. His arms slammed on either side of her head and his slender frame effectively blocked her only means of escape.

“You will stop that this instant! Do you understand me?” His voice was little more than a whisper, but the harsh tone left Maddie cold. “You will not call me by anything but my title, and when addressing me you will do so with respect. You will not roll your eyes, sneer, or make any other distorting facial expressions at or near me. Have I made myself perfectly clear?”

“I…yes, I…crystal.” Maddie stuttered, shocked and strangely invigorated by the tirade she had just been treated to. The man had so much power, one could feel it just coming off his skin in wave after intoxicating wave. ‘And I am a freak,’ she thought to herself.

“Perfect.” His sneer was oddly content.

Maddie watched as he pulled himself straight, his eyes never straying from her own. A small smile curved his pale lips, a signal that he understood what Maddie was feeling.

“The circumstances are unimportant, Albus, it is the result that must be questioned.” Finally breaking eye contact he turned to the aging man. “It seems to me that whatever our conclusions of yesterday‘s tests, we were wrong. Miss Lindsey is a full functioning witch.”

The words hit home, and a deep shock began to settle into Maddie’s psyche. She was a witch? Could that really be possible?

“I am twenty-nine years old…” she whispered more to herself than anyone. “Wouldn’t I have figured something like that out earlier?”

“No Maddie, not necessarily,” Albus stated just a softly. “This afternoon we found that there was magic inside of you, held deep for all of your years.”

“But how could I have had magic all these years? Why haven’t I used it before? You said that most children experience some kind of sign. Weird things happened to them.” Maddie was desperate to understand. “The oddest thing that ever happened to me was a prank call in high school.”

“Are you so sure about that?”

“What do you mean Se…Professor Snape?”

“I mean that we can’t be sure. Perhaps you do have some recollection, some memory long since repressed.”

“I think he may be right Maddie,” Albus rose and went to his desk. “You should have displayed your magical talent long before now. Neither I nor any of the other professors can explain why you never have. That you should do so now, so suddenly, is…perplexing.”

“Okay, so no one knows where my magic comes from, where it has been all my life, and why it is acting up now.” Maddie couldn’t hide the worried tenor that colored her voice, causing it quaver ever so slightly. “So what do we know?”

“We know that something must be done to understand what is happening to you.” Albus replied never bothering to turn back to address his audience. “We know that you need help, and we know that this is only place you are assured to receive it.”

“Alright, what do you want me to do?”

“I want you to work with Severus, Maddie. I want you to willingly allow him to perform Legilimens on you.” Finally turning Albus caught Maddie’s eyes and held them, “I want to know what you have forgotten.”

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*What do you guys think?