Path of Glittering Darkness

Chapter 60

'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.'

- Chinese Proverb

July 26th, 1979

Hogwarts School

Taking a slow, deep breath, Severus forced himself to remain focused and allowed the headmaster to see his conversation with Evans from two days ago, doing his best to dwell on that memory as if it was extremely important and keeping him away from other, more harmful memories. They had started to practice as if the headmaster were really master and Severus was trying to keep him away from any memory which might betray him.

Albus had been adamant about Severus maintaining a calm demeanor while he probed within his mind. Gritting his teeth and letting master see how exhausting it was to feed him only memories he wanted him to see was a sure sign that he was hiding something.

Although they had only been practicing for a few days, Severus found it easier than the first time.

Pulling forth old childhood memories and scraps of his years at Hogwarts, Severus could keep the headmaster busy for however long he dwelled in his mind and carefully not think about any dangerous thoughts.

The headmaster also riled him up, making him so angry that he nearly burst and then encouraged him to hide that anger, from his mind and his face.

Severus slowly learned how to hide his emotions from himself, a trait which didn't please anybody, but a trait which would help him survive.

He learned how to empty his mind and his face in a single second and calmly allow the headmaster to wander through his mind, probbing around thoughts which Severus carefully fed him.

The headmaster would send him mental requests of different emotions—anger, pain, love, exhaustion—and Severus would try to summon that emotion deep within him and allow traces of it to seep into his thoughts. Severus knew this was especially important. If master ever detected his anger and his hatred towards him, it would all be over.

Finally, the headmaster declared that he was as ready as he could possibly be, given the small amount of time they had been given. Although the summons was still three days away, he declared that it was time to address some other issues.

He called Gorgon, Lily and Severus into his office and offered them all chocolate frogs. Severus warily took one, the faint thought in his head that it might be a bit too fattening, but then decided that nibbling on it wouldn't be that bad. He was already fearful of what master would say if he saw how much weight he had gained, but Gorgon kept insisting that he looked a bit healthier now, not fat and that he was still underweight.

"So, it is time to address some issues which have been plaguing you all for days now. Yes, your body and mind are as prepared as we can possibly make them, Severus, but there is the issue of the protection I had promised you."

Severus and Gorgon eagerly leaned forward, having waited for this.

"I have spent a great deal of time carefully considering ways to help you. These ways must be able to save your life and offer you assistance, but at the same time, they must be untraceable, of course."

Reaching into his desk, he withdrew a black leather chain on which a medallion glinted. Severus leaned forward and stared at it in fascination.

The medallion consisted of two opposing silver serpents, twisting around each other and their tails in each other's mouths. A third serpent was coiled around the middle of their entwined bodies, its mouth open wide as it hissed. All of the serpents eyes were glowing a deep, jade green.

For one tiny second, the green reminded him of his crystals but he quickly squashed the Banshees protests before they could start. Gritting his teeth, he remained focused.

"Professor Bodin was kind enough to rummage around in his drawers until he found it. Traditionally, it has always been given to the Heads of Slytherin house, but since Raymond hasn't ever found any need for it, he said he would gladly give it up. He doesn't particularily like snakes anyway, he claims."

Evans frowned as she stared at it. "What is it, headmaster?"

"This, Mrs. Potter, is Salazar Slytherin's medallion. All four Founders had their own medallions into which they not only infused some magical properties, but they locked their own essences within it. Since their time, every head of house has been given their respective medallion and in times of need, they can summon up their Founder and ask them for assistance. Some heads use them quite often but some, like Professor Bodin, don't find their particular Founder to be a thrilling conversationalist so they forget about it."

Severus stared at it. That medallion contained the essence of Salazar Slytherin himself. He nearly forgot to breathe.

Gorgon was frowning. "This all good, headmaster, but how young master hide this? If pardon frankness, but young master not often have many clothes on when with dark master. Would be very suspicious, and if Gorgy not wrong, dark master would like this medallion very much. Liked Master Slytherin very much too."

Severus shook himself out of his awe and admitted that his elf had a valid point.

The headmaster smiled. "There is a very clever way to hide these medallions. There are many people in this world who have taken great pains to try and find them and unleash the amazing powers they assume are hidden within—which I'm sorry to say is very far from the truth. The medallions are merely ways to communicate with the Founders in times of distress and indecision. Anyway, if you would lean forward, Severus."

Warily, Severus leaned forward and the headmaster gently lowered the chain over his head.

As soon as the medallion touched his robed chest, it vanished. Gaping at the black robe, he groped and felt his fingers touching the medallion and the chain, although he couldn't see them.

Lily and Gorgon were both staring at his chest with wide eyes. The headmaster smiled.

"It remains invisible as long as it hangs around your neck. You must be careful never to pull it off in public since it will immediately become visible. Furthermore, I spent some time tweaking it a little bit. Although you can feel it, nobody else can. This will make it completely undetectable where anybody is concerned, especially certain greedy Dark Lords."

Severus was staring at the medallion in too much awe to react to the mild insult. He traced the edge of it, amazed to be touching something he couldn't see.

"How do I summon Mr. Slytherin?"

"That's all too simple. Just remove the medallion from your neck and ask to speak with him. It's best to be extremely polite where Salazar is concerned or he might decide not to show himself."

The headmaster leaned back, smiling as Gorgon leaned over and tried to touch the medallion but only grasped empty air in the exact same place where Severus was running a finger along the edge of it. Lily was grinning smugly. "Take that, Mister Red Eyes."

"Now, if I might divert your attentions back to me, there is something else I thought of."

Albus cleared his throat and waited until they were all looking at him.

"There may come a time when you have to communicate with me directly very quickly and apparating or using owls or even sending Gorgon would take up too much time. Furthermore, I want you to have the best possible protection. I will be giving you a body guard of sorts, Severus. Someone who can accompany you anywhere you go and help you if you need it."

Severus frowned. "I have Gorgon, sir."

"Yes, dear, and as much as Gorgon is capable of, he is still unable to accompany you everywhere in the manor, am I correct?"

Severus nodded while Gorgon looked a bit upset with himself. Severus glanced at him and smiled faintly, trying to make him feel better. It wasn't his fault.

"So, I have found someone who would be perfect for this role, should he choose to accept it."

Without another word, he turned in his chair and nodded at Fawkes, who was busily preening himself and not paying attention. When he realized Albus was staring at him, the phoenix stared at him, blinking and then looking back and forth between him and Severus.

Severus and Fawkes understood at the same time.

"Headmaster, you can't be serious!"

"Albus! I thought we were merely having a hypothetical discussion the other night! You can't be serious about this!"

"Headmaster, he is a whining useless bird and spends more cleaning himself and complaining than anything else!"

"I resent that remark, but I absolutely refuse to be drawn into this madness! Go to that dreadful manor of madness? You must be mad, Albus! I absolutely refuse!"

Dumbledore smiled before holding up a hand and stemming the protests.

"Fawkes, Severus, please. Hear me out. I know this arrangement isn't completely agreeable, but it is the only way I can give Severus the protection he needs."

Severus frowned. "Headmaster, I cannot walk around the dark manor with a phoenix on my shoulder!" He stared at him as if he really was joking and was just waiting for the headmaster to laugh and say he was just kidding.

"I am absolutely serious about this and I wouldn't suggest it otherwise. Fawkes, you have magical capablities which can aid Severus greatly in times of trouble, and furthermore, your bond with me will allow me to learn of any information in a fast and timely manner."
"But headmaster—"

"Albus—"

"Fawkes has the capability to transfigure himself into anything he wishes. If he were a simple potion vial in your robe pockets, nobody would ever suspect anything. He can conceal his magic well enough to be undetectable. Now, I know you both realize how convenient this arrangement will be."

Severus sighed and glanced at Gorgon, who was nodding in obvious approval and Lily, who was grinning smugly again. Then he glanced up at the red feathered phoenix, who stared at him with his dark eyes, twittering and stamping his foot on his perch.

"I'll only make you come if you really want to, Fawkes. I won't force you," Severus said, meaning it. The last thing he needed was to have to drag the fussy, prissy creature around, listening to him whining and complaining.

The headmaster was staring at Fawkes, who blinked at him.

"Albus, I can't believe you are seriously asking me to do this. I want to stay here in my nice, clean cage and not have to fuss with things. It's enough that I have to run everywhere with urgent messages in dreadful weather, but this is entirely different."

"You know I wouldn't ask unless Severus' survival depended on it, old friend. You are the only one who can do this."

Fawkes sighed heavily and then glanced at Severus, quietly debating it. "Alright. Fine. I'll do it. But it doesn't mean I have to like it!"

Albus smiled. "Of course not. But before you start complaining and fussing about it, I need you to make me a promise."

The bird sighed again. "What now?"

"I must have your word that you will never abandon him. No matter how terrible or urgent the situation is, I need you to always stay with him. Will you give me your word on it?"

Fawkes shifted on his perch but then sighed once more. "Alright, I promise."

The headmaster smiled around at everyone. "In that case, it's settled then."

Evans and Gorgon got up, chattering about how brilliant the medallion was and disappeared out of the room.

Severus slowly stood up, staring at the headmaster and then looking at Fawkes.

The phoenix slightly narrowed his eyes at him. "I hope you realize we have no idea what we're getting ourselves into."

Severus smiled faintly. "According to Evans, that's sometimes the best part of life, bird."

Fawkes grumbled something rude into his head and then turned his back on them.

The headmaster's eyes twinkled with satisfaction. Severus stared at him and the smile faded from his face as he bit his lip with worry.

"You'll do fine, child."

Severus sighed, not entirely sure of this whole mess anymore, but then he clenched his jaw, held his head up and nodded firmly.

"If you will excuse me, headmaster? I have some dueling to do downstairs."

"Of course, dear. Good luck."

July 28th, 1979

Hogwarts School

The old clock hanging on the wall quietly ticked away the seconds, dragging the night closer to morning with each sound.

Severus lay awake in bed, listening to his elf's quiet snores and the musical chirp every time Fawkes exhaled. He glanced at them both. How could they be sleeping? In a few hours, his arm would burn and they would have to go back.

Back to master. Back to hell. And he would go with his heart having been marked as a traitor.

Slowly, he pulled up his left arm and pushed up the sleeve of his nightgown and stared at the black mark, the eyes glowing a faint blue. Those eyes would be red again tomorrow and that eternal itching and twitching would be gone too.

A small part of him filled with excitement. He would see master tomorrow. And Bella.

But that excitement quickly faded as fear flooded him. He stared at the black skull on his arm. The eyes seemed to be glaring at him and he nearly swore he heard the serpent hissing. Traitor. Traitor. Spy. Spy.

That's what he was now. He knew he could change his mind about it but he refused to. He had to do this. He tried to feel determined and brave, but only that fear remained.

What if master found out? What if he made a stupid mistake? He really didn't know much about what he was supposed to be doing. The headmaster had given him a few suggestions but said he should do what he deemed as safe in his own mind.

The skull was still glaring at him. Accusing him.

Severus swallowed hard, the fear seizing him. Master would be unbelievably angry if he found out. He wouldn't die quickly, he knew that. But he would be wishing he were dead long before he would be granted his wish.

He glanced at his elf peacefully slumbering at the foot of his bed and the sleeping phoenix on his perch.

They would be killed too if he made a mistake.

Another shiver of fear passed through him.

He barely heard the door opening with a quiet click and he yanked his sleeve down just before the headmaster stepped inside.

Albus quietly walked up to him and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Couldn't sleep?"

Severus shook his head. He wanted to blurt out the truth but didn't want to burden the headmaster with it. He had already done far too much for him.

"I'm fine, headmaster. I'm just not very tired."

"Banshees?"

"No. They're pretty quiet. They had a bad fit this afternoon while I was out riding but they've been quiet since then. Evans yelled at them quite harshly."

Albus chuckled quietly and then glanced at the other two sleeping figures, making sure their talking wasn't disturbing them.

Severus took a deep breath and felt the headmaster looking at him with those sparkling blue eyes filled with kindness.

"What is it, child?"

"I'm—I'm scared, headmaster."

Albus sighed heavily and gently pushed a strand of hair off his forehead. "I know you are, and you know that you don't have to do this. I can keep you here as long as I can and then I can help find you someplace safe to run to."

Severus shook his head, swallowing the lump of fear in his throat. "No, sir. I'm going to do this. I only wish it wouldn't terrify me so badly."

Albus leaned over and gently pulled him into his arms, holding him. "I know you're scared. Any sane person would be scared. You must remember to stay strong and keep in control of your emotions. If you control your fear then you can vanquish it and he will never see it."

Severus nodded, burying himself into the headmaster's warmth and comfort as the old wizard put his chin on the dark head.

"And you must always remember that Hogwarts will always be here for you. As will I. I promise," he whispered.

Severus sighed, feeling his fear slightly easing as he closed his eyes and allowed himself to slip into sleep, feeling safety and comfort in the old wizard's arms.

July 29th, 1979

Hogwarts School

"This is your last chance to change your mind, bird," Severus muttered, attaching his cloak to his shoulders by the silver dark mark clips.

Fawkes sighed heavily. "Oh, what the hell. If you're going to go and throw yourself into hell, I might as well come along for the laugh."

With another dramatic sigh, he flew off Albus' shoulder and onto Severus'. Gorgon was pulling twigs out of Xira's mane, who stood quietly next to her young rider.

Severus pulled his mask out and held it in his hands, trying to ignore the incessant burning on his arm.

Lily crossed her arms, staring at him. "You're sure you want to do this, Sev?"

He glanced up, pulling his gloves on. He smiled faintly, trying to quell the fear in his stomach. "Yes, Evans."

She bit her lip and then nodded firmly. "Alright, but as soon as you get back here, you floo me faster than you can blink, understood?"

He nodded. With a tearful sigh, she pulled him into a fierce hug, nearly crushing him.

"Be careful, Sev, and always keep your eyes open, you hear?"

He smiled, tightening his grip on her. "I will."

Then she released him and stepped back. The headmaster smiled at them all.

"Well, this is the strangest but bravest team of heroes I have ever seen."

Severus snorted and Fawkes echoed it. "We're not heroes, Albus. Just crazy fools."

The headmaster knelt down and held out his hand to Gorgon, who shook it firmly. "Take care of yourself, old friend and bring them all back."

"I will, headmaster. I promise."

Then the headmaster straightened up and stared at Severus before pulling him into a tight hug and kissing his head gently.

"Be careful, child. Please, be careful," he whispered. "Use your strengths. I know you don't know what they are yet, but you will."

Severus nodded, breathing in the headmaster's familiar smell of ink, magic and lemon drops. "I'll try."

The burning on his arm reached a new pitch and Severus released the headmaster with a hiss, rubbing it.

"Alright, we have to go. Fawkes, make yourself a bit less obvious."

With an indignant squawk, the phoenix shook himself, and moments later, a tiny vial filled with red, sparkling liquid landed in Severus' hands, which he carefully put into his robe pocket, adding it to other vials of sleeping draughts and numbing potions which he had whipped up to make the one vial less conspicuous.

Pulling his mask on, he turned around and helped Gorgon up before climbing onto Xira's back. She snorted and stamped her hooves, impatient to be off.

Lily and the headmaster stepped back and Severus gave them a nod, clenching his jaw to keep his fear under control.

"I'll tell Fawkes to let you know if anything happens, headmaster. I'll see you soon."

Without another word, he gave Xira a low whistle and she galloped off across the grounds, her hooves thudding on the grass as she reached the gates. They gracefully opened up and they ran through them, Severus' cloak whipping in the wind, one hand tightly clutching Gorgon and the other tangled in Xira's mane. As soon as they passed through the gates, he gave Xira another whistle and she spread her wings and pushed off the ground, galloping up into the air and taking them to where her soul was pulling her.

Lily and the headmaster stared after them in the dim gloom of early dawn, watching the four figures rising through the air and slowly diminishing until they became a small, black speck in the wind and then vanished.

"May Merlin go with them," the headmaster whispered.

Lily smiled at him. "They don't need Merlin, headmaster. They'll be fine. I believe in them and I know they'll be back."

"Your faith has never seized to amaze me, Mrs. Potter."

"It's not faith as much as trust, headmaster. I trust life to give everyone exactly what they need when they need it. It won't let them down."

End of Part I: Path of Glittering Darkness

(look for Part II: Path of Shaded Light in a few days)